Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080208391 | Gait Pattern Generating Device and Controller of Legged Mobile Robot - A gait generating system of a legged mobile robot is provided with a device for determining a desired trajectory of an external force to be applied to a robot | 08-28-2008 |
20080215181 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING INVASIVE MEDICAL PROCEDURES USING A SURGICAL ROBOT - A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215182 | GENETIC ROBOT PLATFORM AND GENETIC ROBOT BEHAVIOR EXPRESSION METHOD - A genetic robot platform and a genetic robot behavior expression method. When a controller of a robot platform driving a genetic robot, which has robot-behavior-expression-related information as gene information and of which an expression behavior is determined according to the gene information, recognizes a stimulation, the controller determines whether there is a preset instinctive behavior corresponding to the recognized stimulation. When there is a preset instinctive behavior corresponding to the recognized stimulation, the controller determines whether the recognized stimulation corresponds to the first generated stimulation or a repeatedly-generated stimulation, and determines an instinctive behavior to be expressed according to the recognized stimulation and the number of times of repeated stimulations. Then, the controller enables the robot to perform the instinctive behavior corresponding to the currently-recognized stimulation by expressing the determined instinctive behavior. Accordingly, there is an effect of providing a robot which is implemented to be more similar to real life. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215183 | Interactive Entertainment Robot and Method of Controlling the Same - A entertainment robot includes a recognition unit, an environment detecting unit, an intelligent unit, and a behavior unit. The recognition unit receives an input signal from a user and outputs a corresponding command signal. The environment detecting unit detects background information and outputs a corresponding environment signal. The intelligent unit outputs a corresponding behavior signal based on the command signal and the environment signal. The behavior unit controls the operation of the entertainment robot based on the behavior signal. | 09-04-2008 |
20080221729 | Automatic Surface-Scanning Method and System - The invention relates to a method of scanning a complex surface ( | 09-11-2008 |
20080221730 | BEHAVIOR CONTROL APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A behavior control apparatus collects information of a mobile object in relation to an action space of the mobile object, and acquire a position and an orientation of a human. The behavior control apparatus sets an exclusive area for the human based on the position and the orientation, and judges whether any information is to be notified to the human by the mobile object. If judging negatively, the behavior control apparatus determines a target position, a target orientation and a travel route of the mobile object such that the mobile object moves out of the exclusive area. | 09-11-2008 |
20080221731 | Method for operating a medical robotic system by stopping movement of a surgical instrument about a pivot point or issuing a warning if the pivot point moves beyond a thershold value - A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The controller controls and limits movement of robotic arms relative to the patient. | 09-11-2008 |
20080221732 | TOOL MEMORY-BASED SOFTWARE UPGRADES FOR ROBOTIC SURGERY - Robotic devices, systems, and methods for use in robotic surgery and other robotic applications, and/or medical instrument devices, systems, and methods includes both a reusable processor and a limited-use robotic tool or medical treatment probe. A memory the limited-use component includes machine readable code with data and/or programming instructions to be implemented by the processor. Programming of the processor can be updated by shipping of new data once downloaded by the processor from a component, subsequent components can take advantage of the updated processor without repeated downloading. | 09-11-2008 |
20080228319 | ROBOTIC ARM ALIGNMENT - A method for aligning the position of a movable arm includes: providing an alignment element on the apparatus projecting a distance above the apparatus in the z-direction and having a surface lying in a plane formed by an x and y axis; providing a movable arm having a tool at the free end; positioning the object such that the surface of the element faces the tool; moving the tool in a direction towards the surface of the element; sensing when the tool reaches a predetermined point on or above the surface of the element, whereby the position of the tool in the z-direction is determined based on the relationship between the measured response of the tool and the height of the tool above the surface of the alignment element; placing the tool on or at a distance in the z-direction from the surface; moving the tool in the x-direction while sensing the surface of the element; moving the tool in the x-direction until an edge of the element is sensed; determining the center in the x-direction based on the known distance the tool has moved and the known dimensions of the element in the x-direction; placing the tool on or at a distance in the z-direction from the surface; moving the tool in the y-direction while sensing the surface of the element; moving the tool in the y-direction until an edge of the element is sensed; determining the center in the y-direction based on the known distance the tool has moved and the known dimensions of the element in the y-direction. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is a metering probe having a disposable tip on the end thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the measured response is the air pressure in the probe and the metering probe has a source of compressed air for expelling air out of the end of the probe and a pressure transducer for measuring the air pressure inside the metering probe. | 09-18-2008 |
20080234861 | Control System, Method and Computer Program For Synchronizing Several Robots - A control system for controlling the movements of a plurality of mechanical units. The control system includes a program that includes a plurality of mechanical unit programs. Each program includes movement instructions for at least one of the mechanical units. The control system also includes a plurality of path planners. At least one of the path planners is adapted to receive instructions from more than one of the mechanical unit programs and on basis thereof determine how the mechanical units should move in order to synchronize their movements. The control system further includes switches adapted to switch a mechanical unit program from one path planner to another, whereby the movements of the mechanical units are synchronized when their mechanical unit programs are connected to the same path planner and the movements of the mechanical units are independent when their mechanical unit programs are connected to different path planners. | 09-25-2008 |
20080243303 | System and methods for collective nanorobotics for electronics applications - The invention describes a system for collective nanorobotics (CNRs) for electronics applications. CNRs are used to selectively activate electronics devices and remote devices and to target objects in sensor networks. A method of delivering CNRs in aerosol form is specified. The CNRs use reaggregation methods to restructure their shapes on-demand for improved material resistance capabilities. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243304 | ROBOT - According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a robot including: a body; a arm attached to the body; a container storing compressed air; at least one air emission port formed in at least one of a surface of the body and a surface of the arm; a pipe network connecting the container to the air emission port; and a control section configured to control the body, the arm, and emission of an air based on an operation of at least one of the body and the arm. | 10-02-2008 |
20080249659 | Method and system for establishing no-entry zone for robot - In a system, a first closed region specifying unit specifies a first closed region on a screen for enclosing an imaged obstacle in a first image, and a first projection area determining unit determines a first virtual projection area by extending a first closed region in a first orientation. A second closed region specifying unit specifies a second closed region on the screen. The second closed region encloses the imaged obstacle in the second image. A second projection area determining unit determines a second virtual projection area by extending the second closed region in a second orientation. An establishing unit establishes an overlap region between the first and second projection areas as the no-entry zone for the robot. | 10-09-2008 |
20080255701 | Method of Adjusting Origin of Industrial Robot - An industrial robot includes a first member, a positioning member arranged to be attached to the first member, a second member arranged to rotate relatively to the first member, and a first joint for coupling the first member with the second member. The second member has a contact point arranged to contact the positioning member. An indication for requesting to enabling the positioning member to contact the contact point is displayed. The second member rotates at the first joint relatively to the first member while the positioning member can contact the contact point. It is detected whether or not the contact point of the second member contacts the positioning member. A position of the second member is stored as an origin when it is detected that the contact point of the second member contacts the positioning member. This method prevents a possible failure of the attaching of the positioning member, and decreases a work load on an operator. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255702 | Robotic system and method for controlling the same - A method for controlling a robotic system. Expressional and audio information is received by an input unit and transmitted to the processor therefrom. The processor converts the expressional and audio information to corresponding expressional signals and audio signals. The expressional signals and audio signals are received by an expressional and audio synchronized output unit and synchronously transmitted therefrom. An expression generation control unit receives the expressional signals and generates corresponding expressional output signals. Multiple actuators enable an imitative face to create facial expressions according to the expressional output signals. A speech generation control unit receives the audio signals and generates corresponding audio output signals. A speaker transmits speech according to the audio output signals. Speech output from the speaker and facial expression creation on the imitative face by the actuators are synchronously executed. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255703 | Medical tele-robotic system - A robotic system that includes a remote controlled robot. The robot may include a camera, a monitor and a holonomic platform all attached to a robot housing. The robot may be controlled by a remote control station that also has a camera and a monitor. The remote control station may be linked to a base station that is wirelessly coupled to the robot. The cameras and monitors allow a care giver at the remote location to monitor and care for a patient through the robot. The holonomic platform allows the robot to move about a home or facility to locate and/or follow a patient. | 10-16-2008 |
20080262652 | Method for an Industrial Robot - The invention relates to a method for an industrial robot that comprises a manipulator and a control system comprising a processor and a computer program that influences the processor and is adapted to control a process, wherein the computer program comprises a plurality of cooperating objects ( | 10-23-2008 |
20080262653 | Parallel Robot Comprising Assembly for Moving a Mobile Element Composed of Two Subassemblies - The disclosure concerns a robot of the type including a base element and a mobile element coupled to the base element through an element for triggering movement. The movement-triggering element includes first and second subassemblies. The first assembly is designed to move the mobile element along a substantially vertical direction. The second subassembly connects the first subassembly to the mobile element and includes at least three actuators capable of acting in parallel to move the mobile element in a substantially horizontal plane independently of the first subassembly. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262654 | MANIPULATOR SYSTEM - A manipulator comprises an actuator block and a working unit attachable to and detachable from the actuator block. The actuator block has a motor, the working unit has a connecting shaft and an end working portion disposed at the distal end thereof, and the end working portion is rotated in conjunction with the motor. The working unit further has a two-dimensional code holding an identification signal, and the actuator block further has an infrared camera for recognizing the identification signal in the code and supplying it to a controller, is the camera being not in contact with the code. The controller controls the working unit based on the supplied identification signal. | 10-23-2008 |
20080269948 | Hybrid control system for collectives of evolvable nanorobots and microrobots - A system is described for the organization and self-assembly of collectives of nanorobots (CNRs) and microrobots using nano evolvable hardware (N-EHW) mechanisms for biological and electronics applications. CNRs combine to organize into complex geometrical structures and reaggregate their structural configurations in real time as they adapt to the feedback of evolving environmental conditions to solve complex optimization problems. | 10-30-2008 |
20080275592 | COMMUNICATION METHOD AND DATA STRUCTURE FOR CONTROLLING NETWORK-BASED ROBOT SYSTEM - Disclosed herein is a communication method and data structure for a network-based robot system. The communication method is performed in such a way as to send subsequent packet data without waiting for acknowledgement of the reception of previous packet data by a counterpart. Each piece of packet data includes a device map section for storing information about activation and a payload section for storing data related to the activation. In order to send significant data, a transmitting end checks whether the significant data has been received by a receiving end using a response packet based on the information about activation of portions of the device map section and based on the corresponding significant data existing in the corresponding portions of the payload section. Furthermore, the transmitting end repeatedly sends the significant data until it is acknowledged that the significant data has been received by the receiving end in such a repeating way that the transmitting end activates portions of the device map section, creates packet data by including the significant data in corresponding portions of the payload section, and sends the created packet data to the receiving end. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275593 | Industrial System Comprising an Industrial Robot and a Machine Receiving Movement Instructions From the Robot Controller - An industrial system including a machine for processing or producing a product. The machine includes at least one actuator providing a repetitive sequence of movements of a machine part, and a regulator controlling the movements of the actuator in response to a reference value. An industrial robot is adapted to tend the machine. The robot includes a drive unit and a robot controller adapted to generate control signals to the drive unit based on a control program including movement instructions for the robot. The robot controller is adapted to generate the reference value to the regulator based on a control program including movement instructions for the machine part. The regulator may also be an integrated part of the robot controller. | 11-06-2008 |
20080281466 | System and Method for Selective Retrieval of Support Beads - Systems and methods are provided that can include a storage and retrieval robot operating under program control to extract a selective number of support beads from a storage or retainment region, for dispensing to titer wells or other vessels for assays and other purposes. According to various embodiments, the storage and retrieval robot can position a capture device over any one or more storage wells containing oligonucleotide or other material support beads, and withdraw or extract those support beads into a collection tube under vacuum pressure or other force. According to various embodiments, a selected number of support beads can be extracted, using a linear motor piston to limit available space for support bead insertion. According to various embodiments, the collected support beads can be dispensed into one or more destination tubes, wells, or other containers, surfaces, vessels, receptacles or mixture containment region, for use in assays or other purposes. According to various embodiments, a calculated plurality of support beads can be extracted or mixed in selective quantities. According to various embodiments, a sample subset of the supply support beads can be taken, to calculate an amount of actual oligonucleotide contained in the support beads. According to various embodiments, an adjustment or normalization of the number of support beads dispensed can be performed to compensate for variations in oligonucleotide amount, thereby enhancing the uniformity of concentration in solution. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281467 | Robot system that operates through a network firewall - A remote controlled robot system that includes a robot and a remote control station that communicate through a communication network. Communication with the robot is limited by a firewall coupled to the communication network. A communication server establishes communication between the robot and the remote control station so that the station can send commands to the robot through the firewall. | 11-13-2008 |
20080288107 | Robot for training a rehabilitator - In a robot for training a rehabilitator, the driving of actuators is controlled to generate the forces acting in six directions at the distal end of a bi-articular arm device to reproduce the relationship between the muscular output of the upper or lower limb of the human body and the output direction at the distal end of the limb. The rehabilitator can experience the relationship between the outputs of his or her limb muscles and the output direction at the distal end of the limb. Thus, the six actuators are run in operation along a predetermined sequence. One or more of the actuators, selected so that the direction of the force generated at the distal end of the first link will be the selected direction, is run in operation. The rehabilitator holding the distal end of the first link may physically experience the direction of that force. | 11-20-2008 |
20080294285 | Verification System for Robot Pose - An apparatus and method for assuring effective backup for sensor failure in robots, by utilizing a single extra sensor attached between the end actuator and the base. The single extra sensor provides absolute back-up for any single encoder failure that may occur in the system, and statistically significant back-up for any double encoder failure. A single additional sensor effectively provides the robotic system with one redundant information input to the robot control algorithm, which can be used in order to determine whether any of the other control sensors, or even the additional sensor itself, has failed and is delivering an erroneous reading, and hence to warn the operator of the failure. A single additional sensor also provides useful warning of the simultaneous failure of two sensors, since the likelihood that two sensors fail simultaneously in a mode that makes the failures undetectable, can be regarded as statistically insignificant. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294286 | PREDICTIVE ROBOT, CONTROL METHOD FOR PREDICTIVE ROBOT, AND PREDICTIVE ROBOTIC SYSTEM - A predictive robot includes a prediction-related item storage to store terms related to prediction performance, a first communicator which transmits stored prediction-related terms and receives a search result of information search with regard to the prediction-related terms, a search controller to control information search of the prediction-related terms stored in the prediction-related item storage via the first communicator, a media converter to convert the search result into a notification medium, and a notification section to provide the search result by the notification medium. Preferably, predictive information is provided spontaneously. | 11-27-2008 |
20080300720 | Cleaning robot - An improved cleaning robot that uses a simple structure to sense an obstacle is disclosed. The cleaning robot includes a robot main body comprising a driving unit to drive the cleaning robot, and a cleaning unit to remove dust, a bumper unit which is movably mounted in the robot main body to protect the robot main body from collision with an obstacle, a sensor unit which supports the bumper unit movably in a plurality of directions to sense the collision of the bumper unit and the obstacle, and a control unit which controls the driving unit on the basis of a signal sensed by the sensor to avoid the obstacle. | 12-04-2008 |
20080306627 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ROBOT GENOME - A system and method for generating a robot genome. Internal state attribute preferences of internal states and behavior preferences are input by a user, and a set of one or more robot genomes containing initial values of genes is generated. A masking process of each robot genome of the generated robot genome group is performed so attributes are manifested. Robot genomes that underwent the masking process are loaded into a personality engine. A reliability value is calculated from a manifestation result of each robot genome, and reliability values of extracted robot genomes that satisfy a particular user reliability value are determined. Extracted robot genomes are modified when the user reliability value is not satisfied, and a new robot genome group including the modified robot genomes is generated. A robot genome satisfying the user reliability is extracted by iteratively performing the above procedures for the newly generated robot genome group. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306628 | Multi-Modal Push Planner for Humanoid Robots - Multi-modal planning method and system that search a path for the most constrained mode first, and then expands the searches for path in a less constrained mode. By searching the path for the most constrained mode first, less resource are wasted on searching for paths that does not result in a feasible path in the most constrained mode. Multi-modal planning is performed by precomputing feasibility and utility of transition configurations of two adjacent modes. The feasibility is used to exclude non-feasible transition configurations in the most constrained mode from being sampled. The utility is used to bias sampling of the transition configuration so that transition configurations with higher utility are sampled with higher probability. Paths of configurations with higher utility and efficiency are obtained by biasing the sampling of the transition configurations. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306629 | ROBOT APPARATUS AND OUTPUT CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to a robot apparatus and an output control method adapted for the robot apparatus. The method includes steps of: receiving radio frequency (RF) signals of identification (ID) codes from several wireless communication devices within a predetermined area and time period; sensing people and obtaining the number of people within the predetermined area and time period; comparing current ID codes and the number of people in the predetermined area with what were determined previously, generating an update signal when the comparison is not equal; replacing the previous data with the current data; acquiring output data based on the associated output found in the output table; and performing an output based on the output data. | 12-11-2008 |
20090005906 | Robot and Control Method Thereof - The present invention provides a technique that makes a robot continue a stabilized walk, even when an actual movement state of the robot deviates greatly from a target movement state of the robot. The robot includes a trunk, a pair of leg links coupled with the trunk in a swingable manner, an actuator group that swings each of the leg links independently to the trunk, and a controller that controls the actuator group. The controller is programmed to control the actuator group and realize a given trajectory of the center of gravity and the trajectory of the toe of the leg link. The controller performs, in a period from the robot grounding the one leg link to grounding the other leg link swung out thereafter: updating the trajectory of the center of gravity of the robot after grounding the other leg link, determining a predetermined position for grounding the other leg link, on the basis of an updated trajectory of the center of gravity, and updating the trajectory of the toe of the other leg link till grounding the other leg link, on the basis of a determined predetermined position for grounding. | 01-01-2009 |
20090018696 | Method and Device for Controlling a Robot - A robot controller including a multitude of simultaneously functioning robot controller units. Each robot controller unit is adapted to receive an input signal, receive top-down information, execute an internal process or dynamics, store at least one representation, send top-down information, issue motor commands wherein each motor command has a priority. The robot controller selects one or several motor commands issued by one or several units based on their priority. Each robot controller unit may read representations stored in other robot controller units. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018697 | PROCESS FOR POSITIONING AN ASSEMBLY TOOL ON THE END OF AN ARTICULATED ARM AND DEVICE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION - The invention relates to a method for positioning an effector ( | 01-15-2009 |
20090024249 | METHOD FOR DESIGNING GENETIC CODE FOR SOFTWARE ROBOT - A method for designing a genetic code for a software robot in a software robot apparatus is provided in which a request for writing a genetic code for a software robot is received from a user, a plurality of intuition traits associated with one or more pieces of genetic information among genetic information included in the genetic code are provided, a value of an intuition trait selected from among the plurality of intuition traits is changed according to a user input, a representation value of each piece of genetic information related to the selected intuition trait is changed by applying the changed value of the intuition trait to a predetermined conversion formula, and the software robot is implemented according to representation values of the genetic information included in the genetic code, an external stimulus, and an internal state change of the software robot. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024250 | Mobile Robot and method for controlling mobile robot - A mobile robot includes: a main body; a drive unit that moves the main body; a contact force detecting unit that detects a contact force acting against an obstacle; and a controller that controls the drive unit to move the main body toward a target object under a condition that the contact force detected by the contact force detecting unit is in a predetermined range. | 01-22-2009 |
20090030549 | WORKING STATION - Immediately before a robot | 01-29-2009 |
20090037021 | BLENDING ALGORITHM FOR TRAJECTORY PLANNING - The present exemplary embodiment relates to motion control and planning algorithms to facilitate execution of a series of moves within a motion trajectory. In one example, a trajectory is specified as a sequence of one or more path segments. A velocity profile is calculated for each of the one or more path segments, wherein each velocity profile is divided into a blend-in region, a blend-out region and a remainder region. Each path segment is executed such that the blend-in region of its velocity profile overlaps only with the blend-out region of the previous profile. | 02-05-2009 |
20090043422 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD IN A ROBOT - A method and apparatus for taking a picture are provided, in which a mobile apparatus detects a current position of a mobile apparatus, moves from the current position to a predetermined position to take a picture, information about an ambient image around the mobile apparatus through the image sensor, after the movement, analyzes characteristics of the received image information, compares the analyzed characteristics with a predetermined picture-taking condition, controls the mobile apparatus for the characteristics of the image information to satisfy the predetermined picture-taking condition, if the characteristics of the image information do not satisfy the predetermined picture-taking condition, and takes a picture, if the characteristics of the image information satisfy the predetermined picture-taking condition. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043423 | Information processing system, method of processing information, and program for processing information - An information processing system, method, program and robot is provided. The system includes analysis means for analyzing a message and determining the most effective direction for transmitting the message. The analysis means also analyzes received messages and determines the most effective direction for receiving the message. Motion control means turn toward the most effective direction for transmitting a message or receiving a message. The system includes information reproducing means for reproducing the message and a sensor for receiving a message. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043424 | AUTOMATED PLUMBING, WIRING, AND REINFORCEMENT - An apparatus may include a nozzle assembly configured to extrude material through an outlet; and a controllable robotic arm coupled to the nozzle assembly, the robotic arm having at one end a gripper configured to pick up an element and deposit the element at a desired position relative to the extruded material. The element may be one of: a reinforcement member for a structure being constructed; a segment of a plumbing pipe; an electric network component; and a tile. | 02-12-2009 |
20090069935 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DISTRIBUTED CONTROL OF AN INTERACTIVE ANIMATRONIC SHOW - A system and method of distributed control of an interactive animatronic show is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of animatronic actors, at least one of the actors comprising a processor and one or more motors controlled by the processor. The system also includes a network interconnecting each of the actors, and a plurality of sensors providing messages to the network, where the messages are indicative of processed information. Each processor executes software that schedules and/or coordinates an action of the actor corresponding to the processor in accordance with the sensor messages representative of attributes of an audience viewing the show and the readiness of the corresponding actor. Actions of the corresponding actor can comprise animation movements of the actor, responding to another actor and/or responding to a member of the audience. The actions can result in movement of at least a component of the actor caused by control of the motor. | 03-12-2009 |
20090076651 | Apparatus and method for calculating position of robot - Provided are an apparatus and method of calculating the position of a robot, which determine the position of a robot and create a map of the surroundings of the robot which account for the travel state of the robot. The apparatus includes a state variable calculation module which calculates a plurality of state variables regarding a travel state of the robot by using a plurality of Kalman filters; a travel state determination module which determines the travel state of the robot based on the results of the calculation performed by the state variable calculation module; and a state variable update module which updates the state variables according to the result of the determination performed by the travel state determination module. | 03-19-2009 |
20090088896 | MODULAR ROTARY MULTI-SENSOR SENSOR RING - An intelligent modular rotary multi-sensor sensor ring platform for such uses as in mobile robotics allows a few sensors to scan the local area and environment, provides a cost saving, volume and a power savings as well as reducing calibration and maintenance costs. The sensor ring platform has a large internal diameter allowing a maximum area for the chassis structural elements as well as other equipment located in the chassis. Local sensor signal processing is combined with time, rotation speed and position data stamps to allow processed data to be used locally as well as to be transferred to other systems or subsystems or for data logging purposes. | 04-02-2009 |
20090099688 | Integral robot system and method for the dislodging process and/or anode handling from casting wheels - At present, the tasks associated to the dislodging process and/or anode handling from casting wheels is characterized by the exposure of the personnel to harsh environmental conditions. As well as the use of take-off mechanisms with a high rate of failures. This, in the medium and long term, could generate serious occupational illnesses to the operators in charge of carrying out this activity such as decrease and/or delays in production. Due to the above, an integral robot system and method have been developed for the dislodging process and/or anode handling from casting wheels which allows to carry out this activity in an automated way. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099689 | LEGGED MOBILE ROBOT AND CONTROL PROGRAM FOR THE ROBOT - A legged mobile robot and a control program for the robot cancel a spin force, which is generated by motions of a lower body ( | 04-16-2009 |
20090105877 | Method and apparatus for recyclable absorption of electric retardation energy from an industrial robotics system - An embodiment of the present invention discloses an apparatus for recyclable absorption of electric retardation energy from a multiple axis industrial robotics system, including a robot control unit and at least one drive unit which at retardation generates the retardation energy. By an apparatus according to the present invention, the electric retardation energy, which occurs when a drive unit is retarded and is transferred into generator mode, may be recycled by that the brake unit of the apparatus, and the to the brake unit connected mechanical devices, are accelerated. The electric retardation energy is thus transferred into kinetic energy which may be stored in the mechanical devices. An embodiment of the present invention also refers to a corresponding method for recyclable absorption of electric retardation energy from a multiple axis industrial robotics system. | 04-23-2009 |
20090105878 | CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD, AND ROBOT APPARATUS - There is provided a control system which controls a link structure constructed by connecting a plurality of rigid body links and driven by making a joint actuator generate an actuator force. The control system includes a mechanical model including geometric parameters and dynamical parameters of the link structure, a virtual external force calculating means for calculating a virtual force acting on the mechanical model of the link structure, a contact part detecting means for detecting contact parts between the link structure and the outside, and an actual force converting means for converting the virtual force calculated by the virtual external force calculating means into an external force capable of existing actually and the actuator force of the joint actuator, using contact information detected by the contact part detecting means. The joint actuator is made to generate the actuator force output by the actual force converting means. | 04-23-2009 |
20090105879 | EVALUATION OF COMMUNICATION MIDDLEWARE IN A DISTRIBUTED HUMANOID ROBOT ARCHITECTURE - A publish-subscribe architecture based blackboard system for selecting and exchanging selected information among a plurality of processing modules using filters for implementing conditions described in a procedural language to reduce the amount of information transmitted between the processing modules. More than one filter may be dynamically installed in a message hub to select and collect the published information to be sent to a certain subscribing module. By using the procedural language to describe the filters, the message hub can more intelligently select the information to be sent to the subscribing module. This reduces the amount of information transmitted via communication channels. Further, the subscribing module may be relieved from the task of filtering the information received from the message hub, allowing the subscribing module to devote more resources to other operations. | 04-23-2009 |
20090132085 | Detection of condition changes in an industrial robot system - A method and an apparatus for detecting condition changes in a robot system. The method includes logging a work cycle representative signal at a first and a second occasion, logging, synchronously with the logging of the work cycle representative signal, a reference signal associated with work cycles at the first and second occasions, selecting the reference signal from signals having the following characteristics: a signal influenced by the path performed by the robot, a signal calculated by the robot system, and a signal that is identical at both the occasions if a manipulator of the robot performs a movement along exactly the same path at the first and second occasions, synchronizing the representative signals utilizing the logged reference signals, and comparing the synchronized signals to determine if any condition changes have occurred between the first and second occasions. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132086 | HOLDING APPARATUS AND HOLDING UNIT - A holding apparatus and a holding unit are disclosed. The holding apparatus ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090143907 | Robotic Positioning and Orientation Device and Needle Holder Comprising One Such Device - The invention relates to a robotic device for the positioning and orientation of a platform that is connected thereto by means of articulated support structures forming parallel mechanical links, each in the form of a serial kinematic chain of articulations that are interconnected by support segments. The inventive device ( | 06-04-2009 |
20090143908 | Balancing device - A balancing device includes an active balancing mechanism. The active balancing mechanism maintains the balancing device in an actively balanced state within a range of the active balancing mechanism. An auxiliary balancing mechanism is configured to support the balancing device in an unbalanced state that is outside the range of the active balancing mechanism and aid a transition of the balancing device to the actively balanced state that is within the range of the active balancing mechanism. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143909 | NETWORK-BASED ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTION EXECUTION OF ROBOT - A network-based robot system includes an activity creating device creating activities in hierarchical structure, and a robot downloading the activity tree over a communication network and executing an activity selected in the activity tree. The activities describe action execution procedures to be run by the robot and are arranged in an activity tree. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143910 | INTELLIGENT PRINTING SYSTEM WITH DELIVERY ROBOTS FOR DELIVERING PRINTED DOCUMENTS AND METHOD THEREFOR - An intelligent printing system includes a printed document delivery robot for delivering printed documents. The robot identifies a location of each user PC requesting for printing based on a network address of the PC and establishes a print plan based on the print request. Upon completion of a printing job, the robot travels along a movement path having the shortest distance to each user PC who has requested for printing. | 06-04-2009 |
20090149990 | Method, medium, and apparatus for performing path planning of mobile robot - A method, medium, and apparatus for performing path planning of a mobile robot is provided. The apparatus for performing path planning of a mobile robot includes a coarse map generation unit to generate a coarse map composed of a plurality of cells; a fine map generation unit to generate a fine map composed of a plurality of sub-cells into which at least one of the plurality of cells is divided, and a path generation unit to control the fine map generation unit to generate the fine map with respect to a specified position in the coarse map generated through the coarse map generation unit. The method of performing path planning of a mobile robot includes generating a coarse map composed of a plurality of cells, generating a fine map composed of a plurality of sub-cells into which at least one of the plurality of cells, which neighbors the cell where an obstacle exists, is divided, generating a moving path whereby the mobile robot can pass a narrow passage by using the fine map, and updating the coarse map by reflecting the moving path. | 06-11-2009 |
20090157221 | ROBOTIC SYSTEM, ROBOT AND MOBILE PHONE - A robot includes a storage unit, a card, a wireless communication module, a center controller, action units, and drive units. The action units execute motions. The medium contains an electronic identifier to identify the robot. The storage unit stores predetermined motion control programs for control the action units to motion. The wireless communication module receives a text message from the mobile phone, the text message comprising a tag corresponding to one motion control program. A center controller invokes a corresponding one of predetermined motion control programs corresponding to the tag. The drive units drive the action units to motion under the control of the corresponding motion control program. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157222 | NETWORK-BASED ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING CONTENT TRANSMISSION/EXECUTION THEREIN - A network-based robot system for performing content transmission/execution includes a content management unit for managing contents created in a tree-like, hierarchical structure, and one or more robots connected to the content management unit over a network. Each robot requests the content management unit to provide a content to be executed by the robot, downloads the content from the content management unit via the network, and determines a content execution plan to execute the content depending on specification of the robot. | 06-18-2009 |
20090177320 | Method, Medium, and Apparatus for Docking Mobile Robot - Provided are a method, medium, and apparatus for docking a mobile robot. The method includes: (a) receiving a docking signal, which is transmitted from a signal transmitting unit, by using a signal receiving unit loaded in the mobile robot while the mobile robot is moving; (b) estimating a range of poses of the signal transmitting unit based on the received docking signal; (c) updating estimated poses of the signal transmitting unit by reflecting the estimated range of poses in a pose estimation algorithm when the pose of the signal transmitting unit, which was estimated using the pose estimation algorithm, exists within the estimated range of poses and adding a new pose of the signal transmitting unit, which is to be estimated using the pose estimation algorithm by reflecting the estimated range of poses, when the pose of the signal transmitting unit, which was estimated using the pose estimation algorithm, does not exist within the estimated range of poses; and (d) attempting to return the mobile robot to a charging station by using a plurality of poses of the signal transmitting unit, which were estimated by repeating operations (a) through (c) and using the pose estimation algorithm, in order of accuracy, until the mobile robot is docked in the charging station. | 07-09-2009 |
20090187275 | Legged Robot and Control Method Thereof - Technology is provided that can compute a center of gravity pathway for a robot in which the ZMP matches the target ZMP, even if the robot is caused to perform a crouching movement during a single leg ground phase. The robot of the present invention is a legged robot that moves the center of gravity in the vertical direction when one leg link is grounded by changing joint angles, and comprises means for generating the vertical pathway of the center of gravity, means for computing the horizontal pathway of the center of gravity, based upon the generated vertical pathway of the center of gravity, a tridiagonal equation which is a discretization of a ZMP equation, a target ZMP, and horizontal speeds of the center of gravity at the beginning and the completion of the vertical pathway, means for computing chronological data of target values of the joint angles, based upon the generated vertical pathway and the computed horizontal pathway of the center of gravity, and means for rotating the joints based upon the computed chronological data of the target values of the joint angles. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187276 | GENERATING DEVICE OF PROCESSING ROBOT PROGRAM - A processing robot program generating device used in a robot system having a vision sensor, capable of accommodating an error in the shape of a workpiece and reducing man-hours required for a teaching operation. Image detection models are generated in a graphic image of a workpiece viewed from a virtual camera. A processing program including data of teaching points for processing segments of a processing line of the workpiece is generated. A detection program for actually imaging the workpiece is generated, and the position and orientation of each segment corresponding to each detection model generated are detected. A command line, for calculating an amount of change between the detection model and the actually captured image of the workpiece, is added to the processing program. Then, a correction program is inserted into the processing program, the correction program being capable of correcting the teaching point for processing each segment. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187277 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT - A control system for controlling an industrial robot and a method thereof. A control unit generates a control signal for controlling the motor. At least one drive unit controls the motor. The drive unit includes a switching unit adapted to convert DC current to alternating current to the motor in dependence on the control signal. A safety unit generates a stop signal for stopping the robot upon occurrence of a safety event. The drive unit disables the switching unit upon receiving the stop signal. The safety unit generates the stop signal with a time delay with respect to the safety event. The control unit generates the control signal in such a way that the motor is electrically braked during the time delay. The control system transfers the stop signal to the brake, which mechanically brakes the motor upon receiving the stop signal, and delays the stop signal to the drive unit so that the brake receives the stop signal before the drive unit to ensure that the mechanical brake is applied before the switching unit is disabled. | 07-23-2009 |
20090198374 | NURSING SYSTEM - A nursing system of the present invention can position where a person to be nursed through a sensor network widely deployed in an environment, instantaneously detect if the person to be nursed has an accident, and forward a message to inform a relative or medical staff. An autonomous robot will actively move beside the person to be nursed and transmit real-time images to a remote computer or PDA so that the relative or medical staff can swiftly ascertain the situation of the person to be nursed and the person to be nursed in case of emergency can be rescued as soon as possible. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198375 | Human-Guided Mapping Method for Mobile Robot - A method of mapping an operation area by a team of a human and a mobile robot | 08-06-2009 |
20090204257 | System And Method For Visualization Of Process Errors - A system for visualizing process errors that occur in connection with processing a workpiece by means of a process tool and an industrial robot moving the tool along a path in relation to the workpiece during the processing. The system is configured to store information on process errors and information on where on the robot path the error occurred upon detecting the process errors and to present a visualization of the robot path and the position of the stored errors in relation to the robot path. | 08-13-2009 |
20090210090 | ROBOTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBSERVING, LEARNING, AND SUPPORTING HUMAN ACTIVITIES - An example method for allowing a robot to assist with a task, the task being carried out in an environment including one or more non-human objects each having associated object locations, comprises detecting one or more changes in object locations within the environment, predicting a task requirement (such as a future object location change, or task goal) by comparing the change in the object location with stored data, the stored data including object location changes associated with previously observed tasks; and providing robotic assistance to achieve the task requirement. Example apparatus are also disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210091 | LEGGED MOBILE ROBOT AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREOF - The legged mobile robot the foot comprises a foot main body connected to each leg, a toe provided at a fore end of the foot main body to be bendable with respect to the foot main body, and a bending angle holder capable of holding a bending angle of the toe in a bendable range of the toe. In addition, a legged mobile robot control system is configured to hold the bending angle of the toe at a first time point which is a liftoff time of the leg from a floor or earlier thereof, and to release the bending angle at a second time point after the leg has lifted off the floor to restore the toe to a initial position. With this, the bending angle at the time of liftoff can continue to be held after liftoff, whereby the robot can be prevented from becoming unstable owing to the toe contacting the floor immediately after liftoff. In addition, stability during tiptoe standing can be enhanced. | 08-20-2009 |
20090216372 | Apparatus for detecting malfunctions of electromagnetic brakes of robot - An apparatus is provided for detecting a malfunction occurring in an electromagnetic brake of a robot. In the apparatus, the main relay and the sub-relay are controlled to open the main contact and the sub-contact when the robot is activated. Detecting is then made whether or not the main contact is malfunctioning, by monitoring an energized state of the main contact. Activation of the robot is stopped when the main contact is malfunctioning and the main relay is controlled to close the main contact for a given period of time when that the main contact is operating normally. Detecting is further made as to whether or not the sub-contact is malfunctioning, by monitoring an energized state of the sub-contact The activation of the robot is stopped when the sub-contact is malfunctioning and the main relay is controlled to close the main contact when the sub-contact is operating normally. | 08-27-2009 |
20090222133 | System and Method for Controlling a Robotic Arm - A method of controlling the position of an elongate robotic arm comprising articulated segments. An actuator is associated with each segment to control its position, and a control system operates the actuators. Data representing the position of the arm is gathered and compared to input data that represents a required new position of a part of the arm. Data representing the required new position of the arm is then calculated, attempting to keep the remainder of the arm as close as possible to its previous position. The actuators are operated to move the arm into the new position. In tip following, the data representing the new position may define a path, and the arm may be fitted to the path by matching the position and orientation of a point on each pair of adjacent segments to that of the path. | 09-03-2009 |
20090248200 | Method & apparatus for remotely operating a robotic device linked to a communications network - A remote control device able to connect to a communications network generates robot control messages are used for the remote control of a robot also able to be connected to the communications network. The remote control device creates a robot control file and an indirect reference to the robot control file which a user can select for inclusion in a robot control message. Once selected, the indirect reference to a robot control file causes the indirectly referenced robot control file to be included in a message generated by the remote control device. The remote control device establishes a communications link with the communications network, and sends the message, with the robot control file, to the robot also connected to the communications network. The robot receives the robot control message and performs at least one action according to the instruction included in the robot control message. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248201 | PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING A MOVING WORKPIECE - The processing system ( | 10-01-2009 |
20090248202 | MULTI-JOINT STRUCTURE, MOUNTING TOOL USING IT, SYSTEM AND HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE - To manually and optionally change length of a multi-joint structure, the multi-joint structure of the present invention is constituted so that variation detection sensor such as potentiometers is provided on connecting parts between each of joints, one or a plurality of the sensors are assumed to be a unit of the group, the signals of the sensors are captured by signal processing parts in each unit of the group, the parts between the signal processing parts are connected to the communication network and the signal processing part connected to the communication network computes and processes in accordance with signal data of the sensors, and it is constituted to output moving quantity and vector when the joints move to translate and rotate by detecting variation of the connecting parts between the joints at real time when shape of the multi-joint structure is deformed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090259337 | Robot Position Calibration Tool (RPCT) - A Robot Position Calibration Tool (RPCT) is used to accurately calibrate a robot position for a reticle hand-off to a transfer station in a lithography tool with minimized particle generation and outgassing. Method(s), system(s) and computer program product(s) are described to calibrate the robot with minimal sensor usage and minimal slippage of a payload leading to minimized particle generation and outgassing inside a vacuum chamber of a lithography tool. | 10-15-2009 |
20090271031 | APPARATUS FOR FORMING GOOD FEELING OF ROBOT AND METHOD THEREFOR - An apparatus for forming good feeling of a robot and a method therefor are disclosed. The apparatus for forming good feeling of a robot according to the present invention comprises: a good feeling generating unit receiving an input feature value of a user to calculate an individual intimacy level between the robot and the user and calculate a tension level formed between the robot (r) and the user (i) in relation to other users, thereby calculating the good feeling of the robot with regard to the user; a good feeling expressing unit adjusting intensity of feeling of the robot according to the good feeling of the robot generated through the good feeling generating unit and additionally expressing an action expressing the good feeling before and after an action of the robot; and a good feeling learning unit receiving an expression degree of the good feeling of the robot with regard to the user calculated through the good feeling expressing unit and an emotional reaction of the user to calculate profit using an difference between these two information and updating the input feature value of the user using the profit. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271032 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MOVEMENT DEVICE - A system for controlling a movement device is disclosed. The system includes a movement device with a tool provided on the movement device, a movement device controller, a safety controller, a tool maintenance station and a movement detection unit for calculating a position of the movement device in the safety controller. The system includes a position detection module for generating a signal corresponding to a positioning of the tool in the tool maintenance station, which signal is made available to the safety controller by a transmission unit for the signal. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271033 | METHOD FOR PERFORMING AN ANIMAL-RELATED OPERATION AND IMPLEMENT FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD - A method for controlling a robot arm arranged to bring animal operation device to a specific position relative to an animal body part, the robot arm being controlled to maintain a certain position relative to the animal body part during the animal-related operation, the robot arm being controlled not to perform a movement unless the body part lies outside a tolerance range around a current position of the robot arm, wherein the boundaries of the tolerance range are determined repeatedly in dependence on at least the current position and the current speed of the animal body part. Hence, the tolerance range is dynamic, and dependent on the measured movement of the body part or body part reference point. By taking such movement into account, it has proved possible to reduce robot arm movements, both in number and in covered distance. The invention also provides an implement arranged to perform the method. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271034 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PICKING/PACKING APPLICATIONS - A system for picking and packing applications is provided. The system includes a plurality of robots and a plurality of robot controllers. Each robot controller includes a load re-balance subsystem, a load balance subsystem, a robot state change detector subsystem, a communicator subsystem, and a motion control subsystem. Each of the robot controllers is interconnected and in communication with one another via the communicator subsystems. Each of the robots has a workload that may be selectively balanced. A method for balancing the workloads of the robots using built-in processors which run motion control is also provided. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271035 | METHOD FOR COMPUTER-AIDED MOVEMENT PLANNING OF A ROBOT - A method for computer-aided movement planning of a robot is provided, in which a trajectory for the movement of a spatial point assigned to the robot is planned in a fixed coordinates system. The spatial positions are translated from a plurality of spatial positions of the spatial point into respective configuration positions in a configuration room of the robot based on inverse kinematics. The respective configuration positions are described by axial positions of one or several rotatory or translational movement axes of the robot and are tested for collisions and a trajectory is formed along spatial positions of the spatial point, the respective configuration positions of which are collision-free. Planning the movement in a fixed coordinates system improves the efficiency of the planning method and the planned movement corresponds more to the expectations of the persons or the operating staff in the surroundings of the robot. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271036 | METHOD FOR INCREASING SAFETY WHEN OPERATING A ROBOT - A method for operating a robot with a tool changer comprises providing a plurality of different kinds of tools, associating each of the plurality of tools with an unique explicit signature, producing at least one safe signal using the tool changer, wherein the at least one safe signal is a two-channel signal corresponding to one of the unique explicit signatures, and identifying the at least one tool using the at least one safe signal. | 10-29-2009 |
20090276092 | Robot and method of building map therefor - Disclosed are a robot, which builds a map using a surface data of a three-dimensional image, from which a dynamic obstacle is removed, and a method of building a map for the robot. The method includes sequentially acquiring first and second surface data of a route on which the robot moves; matching the first and second surface data with each other to calculate a difference between the first and second surface data; detecting a dynamic obstacle from the first and second surface data according to the difference between the first and second surface data; generating a third surface data by removing the dynamic obstacle from at least one of the first and second surface data; and matching the third surface data and any one of the first and second surface data with each other to build the map. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276093 | MULTI-INPUT CONTROL OF AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT SYSTEM - An industrial robot system with increased flexibility and control accuracy. The industrial robot system uses a common data bus connecting a master controller, different drive devices, and sensors. The sensors forward sensor data to the drive devices via the common data bus. A controller unit in the drive devices processes sensor data received via the common data bus for control of at least one electric motor being connected to the drive devices. | 11-05-2009 |
20090281658 | MEDICAL FACILITY AND METHOD OF DOCKING A POSITIONING DEVICE WITH A SHUTTLE - A medical facility having a room in which a shuttle may be disposed is provided. The shuttle may include a support device and a carrying device for the support device. The medical facility may include a positioning device designed for docking with the shuttle and a control unit for controlling the positioning device. The medical facility may also include a position detection system for determining the spatial position of the shuttle in the room. The control unit is operable to control the positioning device during docking with the shuttle based on the determined position. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281659 | CONTROL SYSTEM - A control system for an industrial robot. The control system includes a memory unit configured to store at least one task program intended for controlling movements of the robot and including movement instructions for controlling the movements of the robot. A program executer is configured to generate instructions based on movement instructions included in the task program and data necessary to be able to carry out the instructions. A path planner is configured to receive the instructions from the program executer and based thereon to plan how the movements of the robot are to be designed to enable the robot to carry out the movement instructions. The control system includes a recording device, with at least one memory unit connected thereto, arranged for the purpose of recording and storing the instructions and the data sent to the path planner from the program executer. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287351 | HAPTIC DEVICE GRIPPERS FOR SURGICAL TELEOPERATION - An embodiment of a haptic gripper system includes a slave gripper device, a master gripper device, and a gripper motor controller. The gripper motor controller includes a slave encoder loop, a master encoder loop, and a haptic loop. The haptic loop is configured to receive a slave motor encoder loop output signal and a master motor encoder loop output signal, determine a difference signal between the slave motor encoder loop output signal and the master motor encoder loop output signal representative of a difference between a first relative angular position of a slave gripper motor and a second relative angular position of a master gripper motor, and provide a slave motor control signal to a slave motor control signal input, and provide a master motor control signal to the master motor control signal input. The slave motor control signal and the master motor control signal drive at least one of the slave gripper motor and the master gripper motor to match their respective relative angular positions with respect to the other. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292393 | Obstacle Following Sensor Scheme For A Mobile Robot - A robot obstacle detection system including a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface and a sensor subsystem aimed at the surface for detecting the surface. The sensor subsystem includes an emitter which emits a signal having a field of emission and a photon detector having a field of view which intersects the field of emission at a region. The subsystem detects the presence of an object proximate the mobile robot and determines a value of a signal corresponding to the object. It compares the value to a predetermined value, moves the mobile robot in response to the comparison, and updates the predetermined value upon the occurrence of an event. | 11-26-2009 |
20090299523 | Walking robot and method of controlling the same - Disclosed are a biped walking robot, which carries out walking with a high energy efficiency through adjustment of the stiffnesses of joints of legs and improves walking stability through control of the pose of a torso, and a method of controlling the walking robot. The method includes generating a walking pattern of plural legs connected to a torso of the walking robot; adjusting stiffness of each of the plural legs interlocking with walking phases of the plural legs driven according to the walking pattern; and measuring a tilt of the torso, and compensating for the tilt of the torso such that the torso is parallel with the gravity direction. | 12-03-2009 |
20090306821 | Robot and method of controlling walking thereof - Disclosed are a robot, which generates a stable walking pattern similar to that of a human, and a method of controlling walking thereof. The method includes generating a walking pattern of a leg connected to a torso of the robot; detecting whether or not a singularity pose of the leg walking according to the walking pattern is generated; and changing the walking pattern by adjusting a yaw direction angle of the torso when the singularity pose is generated. | 12-10-2009 |
20090306822 | MULTI-FUNCTION ROBOTIC DEVICE - A multi-function robotic device may have utility in various applications. In accordance with one aspect, a multi-function robotic device may be selectively configurable to perform a desired function in accordance with the capabilities of a selectively removable functional cartridge operably coupled with a robot body. Localization and mapping techniques may employ partial maps associated with portions of an operating environment, data compression, or both. | 12-10-2009 |
20090306823 | Method and System for Robot Generation - A method is provided for the automatic generation of a robotic devices, where the method comprises the steps of receiving user input to determine a task specification for one or more tasks for the robotic device, determining a task list comprising one or more tasks based on the provided task specification, determining based on the task list provided, one or more mechanical components, one or more processing components, and logic components required to execute one or more tasks; and generating the logic components required to execute one or more tasks, and embedding the logic components onto a recordable medium associated with the robotic device. | 12-10-2009 |
20090312867 | GAIT CREATION DEVICE OF LEG-TYPE MOBILE ROBOT - A provisional desired motion trajectory of an object is determined based on a moving plan of the object. Then, it is determined whether a robot leg motion can satisfy a necessary requirement. The requirement is related to a position/posture relationship between the object and the robot, and a determination of whether the requirement can be satisfied is made at a future, predetermined step. A restrictive condition related to robot leg motion is satisfied at each step up to the predetermined number of steps. If the requirement is satisfied, then a desired gait is generated on the basis of the provisional desired motion trajectory. Otherwise, a desired gait is generated on the basis of a desired motion trajectory of the object according to a corrected moving plan. | 12-17-2009 |
20090312868 | MANIPULATOR AND MANIPULATOR POSTURE CONTROL METHOD - It is aimed to provide a manipulator capable of reducing a colliding force exerted to an obstacle even in the case where the manipulator collides without being able to avoid a collision with the obstacle. | 12-17-2009 |
20090319081 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DESIGNING AND CHECKING SAFETY ZONES OF A ROBOT - A method for simulating a movement zone of a robot having at least one data processing installation, simulating at least one movement path of the robot, comprises providing a number of selectable points on the at least one movement path of the robot, calculating a braking path for each of the selectable points, calculating a virtual movement zone based on the braking paths and a maximum position reachable by the robot for the respective at least one movement path, and carrying out the simulation of functions of the robot off-line using a software module. | 12-24-2009 |
20090326709 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS USING ROBOTIC DEVICES - A system, method and computer program product for data collection and analysis using robotic devices. The system comprises creating a map of a facility, loading at least one position and at least one task onto a robotic device, autonomously navigating the robotic device to the at least one position to collect data, sending the data to a database for storage, processing and analyzing the data by a server, and presenting analysis of the data to a user. | 12-31-2009 |
20100004783 | System For Collaboration Between Device and Person - To make the most of characteristics of a device and a person and allow efficient handling even if a workpiece to be handled is changed when the device and the person perform operations in a shared area. The device | 01-07-2010 |
20100010668 | LOCOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE TESTING APPARATUS - Provided is a locomotive performance testing apparatus capable of testing the locomotive performance of a test subject while keeping the test subject at a suitable position on a treadmill. According to the locomotive performance testing apparatus ( | 01-14-2010 |
20100010669 | EVENT EXECUTION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROBOT SYNCHRONIZED WITH MOBILE TERMINAL - An event execution method and system for a robot synchronized with a mobile terminal is provided for enabling a robot synchronized with a mobile terminal or a character displayed in the mobile terminal to execute an event on behalf of the mobile terminal and share experience points of the character displayed in the mobile terminal. The event execution system includes a mobile terminal and a robot synchronized with the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a short range wireless communication unit which establishes a radio link with the robot, a storage unit which stores a character rearing application for bringing up a character and a behavior contents database of behaviors that a character displayed by the character rearing application conducts, and a control unit which performs synchronization with the robot by means of the short range wireless communication unit and sends, when an event occurs, an event execution command indicating the event to the robot through the radio link, and the robot includes a short range wireless communication unit which establishes the radio link with the mobile terminal, a storage unit which stores a robot displaying application for bringing up the robot and a behavior contents data base of behaviors that the robot conducts, and a control unit which performs synchronization with the mobile terminal by means of the short range wireless communication unit and controls the robot to conduct a behavior corresponding to the event indicated by the event execution command. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010670 | ROBOT - A robot includes a base unit, at least two link mechanisms arranged on the base unit, drive units capable of bending and expanding the link mechanisms, and a control unit controlling the drive units. At least one drive unit has a drive force larger than those of the other drive units, and the other drive units are passively displaced by external forces larger than their own drive forces. | 01-14-2010 |
20100017026 | ROBOTIC SYSTEM WITH SIMULATION AND MISSION PARTITIONS - A robot for accomplishing a mission in a physical environment includes a body; and an operating system coupled to the body and configured to operate the body. The operating system is divided into a plurality of partitions, which includes a simulation partition configured to receive inputs and simulate the mission in a simulated environment corresponding to the physical environment based on the inputs to produce a simulated result, and a mission partition configured to receive the simulated result and determine actions to accomplish the mission based on the simulated result. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017027 | Arrangement for the Maintenance of a Sliding Closure Mounted on the Spout of a Container for Molten Metal - The invention relates to an arrangement for the maintenance of a sliding closure ( | 01-21-2010 |
20100017028 | LEGGED ROBOT - A legged robot that runs while repeating a jump cycle including a ground-contact phase from a landing to a takeoff and an aerial phase from a takeoff to a landing is provided. The legged robot adjusts the landing timing after a jump in accordance with a planned timing, thereby attaining a smooth landing. A measuring unit of the legged robot measures an actual aerial phase period in a k-th jump cycle. A subtractor calculates a time difference between a target aerial phase period and the actual aerial phase period in the k-th jump cycle. A target velocity determining unit calculates a target vertical velocity of a center of gravity on a takeoff timing in a (k+1)-th jump cycle so as to eliminate the time difference. Motors in respective joints are controlled so as to realize the calculated target vertical velocity in the (k+1)-th jump cycle. As a result, the time difference generated in the k-th jump cycle in the (k+1)-th jump cycle can be compensated, thereby adjusting the landing timing with the planned landing timing, resulting in the jump motion with smooth landing. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017029 | Industrial robot and method for operating an industrial robot - An industrial robot with a robotic arm and a data recording module connected to the robotic arm is described. The data recording module is designed for a wireless communication and has a self-sufficient power supply with a converter unit by which mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy, the energy from the movement of the robotic arm being used therefore. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017030 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE AUTOMATED PRE-TREATMENT AND PROCESSING OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES - Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention allow for the automatic control and scheduling of a staining apparatus for biological samples on slides present within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the actions of a robot coupled to the staining apparatus, which performs some of the staining tasks on the individual slides in accordance with their respective protocols, may be prioritized and scheduled. In some embodiments, the scheduling may result in increasing or maximizing the throughput of slides. In some embodiments, robot scheduling ensures that the individual slides are processed substantially within the tolerances specified by their respective protocols. In some embodiments, the robot scheduler may respond to spontaneous user actions and adaptively schedule or re-schedule robot actions. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017031 | Automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) - An Automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator that transports medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes about a substantially aseptic admixing chamber. In a preferred implementation, a gripper assembly is configured to substantially universally grasp and retain syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes. In an illustrative embodiment, a gripping device may include claws configured to grasp a plurality of different types of IV bags, each type having a different fill port configuration. Embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate a transport assembly to place a fill port of the bag, vial or syringe into register with a filling port such as a cannula located at a filling station, or be equipped with carousel transport systems that are adapted to convey bags, vials, and syringes to the admixture system and deliver constituted medications in bags, vials or syringes to an egress area. | 01-21-2010 |
20100023163 | Apparatus and Method for Assisting in Achieving Desired Behavior Patterns - A method and system for assisting an individual in achieving a desired pattern of behavior. A robot is provided that includes a moving head and eyes and is programmed to make eye contact with the individual, such robot also having an interface for communicating with the individual. The robot includes a relationship management module that measures state of a relationship with the individual to determine a current state of the relationship. The robot also includes an interaction module that implements a behavior model for the robot's interaction with the individual. The behavior model causes a change in interaction of the robot with the individual based on what the relationship management module determines to be the current state of the relationship, so that the behavior model assists the individual in effecting the pattern of behavior. | 01-28-2010 |
20100030377 | Snaking Robotic Arm with Movable Shapers - Presented is a method and apparatus comprising one or more robotic members which are curvaceous or snake-like; having movable shapers through which may pass an articulable column having successive joints formed of alternating ball and socket members. The shapers can be directed up and down the articulable column, to create virtually any radius of curvature, in any direction. The robotic member may also include discrete microelectronic mechanical devices (MEMS) shapers with embedded addressable controllers. Thus the device, with computerized control is capable of negotiating a tortuous path to access the site of a given operation and to retreat along the same path, without injury to the body in which the arm is directed. Once at the work site, the articulating columns, or parts of them, may be put in compression, causing them to become rigid. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030378 | MULTI-FUNCTION ROBOT FOR MOVING ON WALL USING INDOOR GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM - A wall climbing robot using an Indoor Global Positioning System (IGPS) provided in a room is disclosed. The wall climbing robot includes a navigation receiver configured to receive rotating fan beams emitted from one or more navigation transmitters of the indoor global positioning system, and recognize the rotating fan beams as IGPS signals; a robot frame provided with the navigation receiver mounted; a mobile controller configured to be installed on the robot frame, and to recognize and determine its own position using the IGPS signals; and a drive mechanism configured to travel along the surfaces of the room under control of the mobile controller. The mobile controller includes a central processing unit, an input/output unit, a motion control unit, a drive control unit, a navigation control unit, a sensor signal processor, an emergency processing unit, and an alarm generator. | 02-04-2010 |
20100042256 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR LEGGED MOBILE ROBOT - On the basis of at least a difference between a desired state amount related to a posture of a robot | 02-18-2010 |
20100049364 | Navigational Control System for a Robotic Device - An autonomous cleaning apparatus includes a chassis, a drive system disposed on the chassis and operable to enable movement of the cleaning apparatus, and a controller in communication with the drive system. The controller includes a processor operable to control the drive system to steer movement of the cleaning apparatus. The autonomous cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning head system disposed on the chassis and a sensor system in communication with the controller. The sensor system includes a debris sensor for generating a debris signal, a bump sensor for generating a bump signal, and an obstacle following sensor disposed on a side of the autonomous cleaning apparatus for generating an obstacle signal. The processor executes a prioritized arbitration scheme to identify and implement one or more dominant behavioral modes based upon at least one signal received from the sensor system. | 02-25-2010 |
20100057251 | WORK ROBOT EXCELLENT IN WORK RESUMPTION - A work robot includes a holding unit for holding a work device, holding unit moving means, an information processing unit, a storage unit, and a variable storage unit. The work robot performs work by relatively moving the holding unit and a workpiece in accordance with a program instruction. When execution of the work is in progress, the program successively stores working state information in the variable storage unit. When the program is forced to end in the middle of the work and then the work is to be resumed, the program resumes the work in accordance with the working state information stored in the variable storage unit. Thus, even when the program is forced to end, the work can be resumed from the working state immediately before the forced end. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057252 | Robot and method of controlling the same - A robot and a method for controlling the same are provided. The robot includes a first control unit to control the overall operation of the robot and a second control unit to supplement the function of the control unit in preparation for the malfunction of the first control unit such that the second control unit controls the robot to perform a predetermined safety-considered motion when the first control unit malfunctions. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057253 | Robot and method of controlling safety thereof - Disclosed are a robot, which performs biped walking similar to a human being, and a method of controlling safety of the robot. When the robot falls down, an air bag located in the falling direction is operated and the posture of the robot is changed into an attention posture. When the robot secondarily falls down after the falling of the robot, an air bag located in the secondary falling direction is operated to minimize damage to the elements of the robot due to the secondary falling of the robot. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057254 | METHODS FOR USING ROBOTICS IN MINING AND POST-MINING PROCESSING - The present invention is directed to the use and application of robotics in mining and post-mining applications, including smelting and processes associated with electrodeposition, electrorefining, cleaning, and disposal. In addition, the application of robotics includes functions associated with maintenance and operation of equipment used in mining operations. | 03-04-2010 |
20100063625 | LINE TRACKING DATA OVER ETHERNET - A robot control system includes a line tracking encoder that measures a reference position of a conveyor line and transmits a tracking signal representing tracking data including the reference position of the conveyor line. A master controller is in communication with the encoder to receive the tracking signal, process the tracking data represented by the tracking signal, and generate a data packet in response to processing of the tracking data. A slave controller is in communication with the master controller and at least one robot for receiving the data packet and controlling the movement of the at least one robot in response to the data packet. A communications network directly interconnects the master controller and the slave controller and transmits the data packet from the master controller to the slave controller. | 03-11-2010 |
20100070076 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED THEREON A ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM - A robot control apparatus includes walking operation control unit which controls the robot to carry out a predetermined walking operation; an obstacle detection unit which detects an obstacle existing in a place where a leg of the robot lands; a determination unit which determines whether or not a place on a sole of the robot's leg on which a reaction force from the obstacle works is in a stable area; and a reflex control unit which causes an ankle of the robot's leg in contact with the obstacle, when the reaction force working on the sole of the robot's leg is not in the stable area, to carry out a pitching or rolling operation, expanding the stable area, extends the leg, and controls the leg in such a way that a ZMP converges on a point of equilibrium of a support leg. | 03-18-2010 |
20100076597 | STORYTELLING ROBOT ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIONS AND METHOD THEREFOR - The present invention relates to a storytelling robot associated with actions and a method adapted for the robot. The robot stores actions, first relationships between the actions and key information, second relationships between the key information and audio data, and audio data associated with the audio stories. The method includes: a) beginning performing an action; b) fetching key information according to the action; c) fetching audio data according to the key information; and d) outputting a story corresponding to the audio data. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076598 | ROBOTIC VEHICLE SYSTEM - Robotic vehicle systems and methods regarding such systems, such as, e.g., methods of movement for such robotic vehicle systems (e.g., movement across varying terrain including steps). | 03-25-2010 |
20100082155 | APPARATUS FOR MONITORING BUILDING STATUS OF CAVITY FRAME - Disclosed is an apparatus for monitoring a building status achieved during building a cavity frame such as an internal freight warehouse of a cargo. The apparatus for monitoring a building status of a cavity frame includes a portable computer, a central host computer, and an indoor global positioning system. The portable computer remotely accesses the central host computer and downloads information on a work schedule, and the central host computer receives information on problems during works from the portable computer. The indoor global positioning system remotely accesses the central host computer to transmit positional information of a working robot in the cavity frame. The central host computer then transmits, to the working robot, an instruction to perform a corresponding work at a position of the working robot. | 04-01-2010 |
20100087954 | ROBOT AND ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM - An embodiment of the present invention provides a robot suitable for receiving an input signal to generate a response. The input signal includes a tone provided with a command and having a first frequency. The robot includes a receiver, a signal processor, a driver and a response device. The receiver receives the tone of the input signal. The signal processor acquires a command by determining whether the first frequency satisfies a predetermined relationship. The driver generates an operation signal according to the command. The response device receives the operation signal and generates the response according to the operation signal. | 04-08-2010 |
20100087955 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ROBOT ARM, AND ROBOT AND PROGRAM - A control device for a robot arm is designed such that, based on information on a transportation state database in which information on a transportation state of a person operating the arm is recorded, an impedance setting unit sets a mechanical impedance set value of the arm, and an impedance control unit controls a mechanical impedance value of the arm to the mechanical impedance set value thus set. | 04-08-2010 |
20100106294 | Robot Control System and Control Method for Robot - During robot operation, a CPU ( | 04-29-2010 |
20100106295 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STABILIZATION CONTROL ADOPTING VESTIBULO-OCULAR REFLEX - A system and a method for stabilization control may control position and direction of an object having first and second bodies connected to each other. The system may include an artificial vestibular apparatus for outputting a movement signal corresponding to movement of the first body and a rotation signal corresponding to rotation of the first body; a translating actuation unit connected between the first and second bodies and controlling position of the second body in response to the movement signal; and a rotating actuation unit connected between the first and second bodies and controlling rotation of the second body in response to the rotation signal. If the system and the method are applied to a vision system of a mobile robot, the vision system may obtain stabile image information even when the mobile robot is moving. Thus, it is possible to prevent any blurring from occurring at the image information. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106296 | ROBOT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to a robot and a control method adapted for the robot. The method includes a) measuring time; b) performing a normal biological action when the time reaches a beginning time of a biological function; c) judging whether an instruction is received while during the biological function; d) if the instruction is received while during the biological function, fetching an action adjustment parameter of the biological function and performing an output; e) after the output is finished, resuming performing the normal biological action; and f) stopping the normal biological action when the time reaches an ending time of the biological function. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106297 | WORKPIECE DETECTING SYSTEM, PICKING APPARATUS, PICKING METHOD, AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM - A workpiece detection system includes: a plurality of transmitters disposed on a workpiece, each transmitter transmitting a first signal; three or more receivers receiving the first signal transmitted from the transmitter; and a position calculator detecting a location of the transmitter based on the first signal received by each of the receivers. The position calculator detects a posture of the workpiece from information on the detected locations of the plurality of transmitters. | 04-29-2010 |
20100121488 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING INDOOR ENVIRONMENT MAP - A method of creating an indoor environment map includes acquiring encoded position information by detecting revolutions of wheels when a mobile unit travels using encoders to predict a position of the mobile unit based on the encoded position information, acquiring a measured distance from the mobile unit to an object existing in a surrounding environment using the distance measuring sensor, predicting a position of the mobile unit to be moved, estimating a distance from the mobile unit to the object at the predicted position of the mobile unit, determining whether the estimated distance is matched with the measured distance, correcting the predicted position of the mobile unit to estimate a position of the mobile unit to be moved by the matching of the predicted position with the measured position, and creating the indoor environment map using the corrected position and the measured distance. | 05-13-2010 |
20100131098 | Hull robot with rotatable turret - A hull robot includes a turbine subsystem actuatable by fluid moving past the hull, a drive subsystem for maneuvering the robot about the hull, and an adjustment subsystem for either the turbine subsystem or the drive subsystem. A controller is configured to operate the adjustment subsystem to adjust the position of the turret subsystem relative to the drive subsystem until fluid flowing past the hull results in an optimal flow of fluid with respect to the turbine subsystem. | 05-27-2010 |
20100138038 | Robot and method of controlling the same - There is provided a robot, which compensates for the angle of a joint, bent due to external force, using a redundant degree of freedom of the robot, and a method of controlling the same. The method includes sensing a bending angle of a joint due to external force or a torque applied to the joint, comparing the bending angle of the joint or the torque applied to the joint with an allowable safety reference value; and adjusting the bending angle of a higher-level joint of the joint using a redundant degree of freedom of the robot, when the bending angle or the torque reaches the allowable safety reference value, thereby compensating for the excessively bending angle of the joint and thus being capable of safely controlling the robot. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138039 | Robot hand and method of controlling the same - Disclosed herein is a method of controlling a robot hand similar to a hand of a human being such that the robot hand naturally and safely grasps an object. The robot hand, including fingers and a palm, is capable of naturally and safely grasping an object, by the tip of each finger performing impedance control while following the optimal path on a Cartesian coordinate system, although the robot hand cannot reach a position ideal to grasp the object due to sensor errors or shape information of the object to be grasped is not correctly recognized. Also, the robot hand is capable of stably grasping the object even when moving or manipulating the object. | 06-03-2010 |
20100145509 | Method And System For In-Production Optimization of The Parameters Of A Robot Used for Assembly - A robot is used to repeatedly assemble part during a continuous production run of parts to be assembled. There are parameters of the robot associated with the assembly. These parameters are used to assemble the parts. Simultaneously with that repeated assembly the robot parameters are optimized. The parts to be assembled have a starting position for the assembly and the simultaneous optimization of the robot assembly parameters also includes the learning of the starting position. The robot assembly parameters can be optimized in a predefined manner. The optimized parameters can then be verified and the optimized and verified robot assembly parameters may then be used in place of the parameters of the robot associated with the parts assembly along with the learned starting position. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145510 | PLANAR TORSION SPRING - A torsion spring comprises an inner mounting segment. An outer mounting segment is located concentrically around the inner mounting segment. A plurality of splines extends from the inner mounting segment to the outer mounting segment. At least a portion of each spline extends generally annularly around the inner mounting segment. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145511 | Microcrawler and conveyor robots, controllers, systems, and methods - Robots, controllers, systems, and methods for microcrawler robots (e.g., with stick-slip gaited locomotion and/or with power multiplexing between actuators). | 06-10-2010 |
20100145512 | Method and system for transmitting robot control instructions - A robot is controlled by robot control instructions. The instructions may be generated remotely and then carried by or with another signal to the robot. In one embodiment, the robot control instructions are multiplexed with a media stream such as video and/or audio data. The multiplexed signal may be transmitted over an existing media distribution network such as a cable television network. The delivered instructions may be obtained from the feed and be used to control or re-program the robot and the media feed may be used in association with media devices operated synchronously with the robot. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145513 | METHOD FOR MONITORING THE POSITION OF A SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING ROBOT - A robotic positioning system that cooperates with a sensing system to correct robot motion is provided. The sensing system is decoupled from the sensors used conventionally to control the robot's motion, thereby providing repeatable detection of the robot's true position. In one embodiment, the positioning system includes a robot, a controller, a motor sensor and a decoupled sensor. The robot has at least one motor for manipulating a linkage controlling the displacement of a substrate support coupled thereto. The motor sensor is provides the controller with motor actuation information utilized to move the substrate support. The decoupled sensor provides information indicative of the true position the substrate support that may be utilized to correct the robot's motion. | 06-10-2010 |
20100152894 | Robot and recovery method thereof - Disclosed herein are a robot capable of recovering from a failure of one of a plurality of symmetrically structured modules, and a recovery method thereof. When a hardware or software failure occurs, the robot recovers by itself by replacing the failed module with another corresponding module. Accordingly, resources of the robot can be more efficiently utilized. | 06-17-2010 |
20100152895 | Shock freezer and system for preparing samples for analysis using the same - A shock freezer for rapidly freezing a sample preparatory to analysis, comprises an insulated closed container containing cryogenic fluid; a tubing disposed through the container having one end in contact with the cryogenic fluid and another end communicating outside the container, the another end for receiving a needle containing a sample to be shock frozen. The tubing has an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of a capillary to be inserted therein to provide a space between an inside surface of the tubing and an outside surface of a capillary to be inserted therein to provide passageway for the cryogenic fluid to flow to the outside. An outlet communicates with an interior of the container. A relief valve is operably associated with the outlet, the relief valve being normally open to relieve pressure within the container, and the relief valve being closed when a capillary to be inserted containing a sample to be frozen is inserted into the tubing through the another end to allow pressure within the container to build up and force the cryogenic fluid to flow upwardly through the tubing through the space, thereby to freeze a sample in a capillary to be inserted. | 06-17-2010 |
20100161115 | Robot and method of controlling balance thereof - An finite state machine (FSM)-based biped walking robot, to which a limit cycle is applied to balance the robot right and left on a two-dimensional space, and a method of controlling balance of the robot. In order to balance an FSM-based biped walking robot right and left on a two-dimensional space, control angles to balance the robot according to states of the FSM-based biped walking robot are set, and the control angles are controlled using a sinusoidal function to allow relations between the control angles and control angular velocities to form a stable closed loop within a limit cycle, thereby allowing the biped walking robot to balance itself while changing its supporting foot and thus to safely walk without falling down. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161116 | Robot and method of controlling balance thereof - A finite state machine (FSM)-based biped robot, to which a limit cycle is applied to balance the robot right and left on a two-dimensional space, and a method of controlling balance of the robot. In order to balance an FSM-based biped robot right and left on a two-dimensional space, control angles to balance the robot according to states of the FSM-based biped robot are set. The range of the control angles is restricted to reduce the maximum right and left moving distance of the biped robot and thus to reduce the maximum right and left moving velocity of the biped robot, thereby reducing the sum total of the moments of the biped robot and thus allowing the ankles of the biped robot to balance the biped robot to be controlled, and causing the soles of the feet of the biped robot to parallel contact the ground. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161117 | Robot and method of controlling the same - Disclosed is a method of defining control angles to use a limit cycle in order to balance a biped walking robot on a three-dimensional space. In order to balance an FSM-based biped walking robot right and left on a three-dimensional space, limit cycle control angles to balance the robot according to states of the FSM-based robot are set on the three-dimensional space, and the limit cycle control angles on the three-dimensional space are controlled using a sinusoidal function to allow relations between the control angles and control angular velocities to form a stable closed loop within a limit cycle. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161118 | Robot and method of controlling the same - Disclosed is a method of generating a hip trajectory of a biped walking robot to allow the robot to stably walk on a two-dimensional space without falling down. An angular velocity of a hip of a swinging leg is obtained by measuring the angle/angular velocity of an ankle pitch joint part of a supporting leg in real time when the robot walks on the two-dimensional space, and desired trajectories of the ankle and the hip are generated based on the angular velocity of the ankle of the supporting leg and the angular velocity of the hip of the swinging leg. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161119 | Method and apparatus for automated storage and retrieval of miniature shelf keeping units - An automated pharmaceutical or biotech compound testing system uses a very small molded plastic shelf keeping unit or test tube known as a “minitube”. The minitubes are stored in trays in a standing refrigeration unit and are retrieved by a machine or robot having a die cutting tubular end effector adapted to selectively cut away and remove a minitube from an integrally molded matrix containing hundreds of minitubes (e.g., 384); the matrix is called a minitube well plate. Upon cutting a selected minitube away from the matrix, the end effector is pushed down over the selected minitube, thus forcing the minitube into the cylindrical interior lumen of the end effector, where it is retained by friction fit until such time as the minitube is to be releaseably locked into a plastic receiving tray. Minitubes are stored in the plastic tray which is adapted to receive and releaseably hold or lock the tubes in place. The minitubes themselves are molded plastic tubes having distally projecting spaced apart “rabbit ear” detent lock members which are biased outwardly. The plastic receiving tray has apertures sized to receive the minitubes and each aperture of the tray is terminated at bottom in a hole defined within chamfered shoulders adapted to slidably engage and exert transverse force against the minitube rabbit ears. The two rabbit ears and the hole together comprise a detent lock system, the minitube rabbit ears releaseably engage the shoulder surfaces on the bottom of the hole in each aperture of the tray. The robot end effector can withdraw and replace the tubes as needed to perform automated testing. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161120 | Intelligent Stepping For Humanoid Fall Direction Change - A system and method is disclosed for controlling a robot having at least two legs that is falling down from an upright posture. An allowable stepping zone where the robot is able to step while falling is determined. The allowable stepping zone may be determined based on leg Jacobians of the robot and maximum joint velocities of the robot. A stepping location within the allowable stepping zone for avoiding an object is determined. The determined stepping location maximizes an avoidance angle comprising an angle formed by the object to be avoided, a center of pressure of the robot upon stepping to the stepping location, and a reference point of the robot upon stepping to the stepping location. The reference point, which may be a capture point of the robot, indicates the direction of fall of the robot. The robot is controlled to take a step toward the stepping location. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161121 | NETWORKED INDUSTRIAL CONTROL AND METHOD FOR CHANGING OF AN OPERATING MODE OF SUCH AN INDUSTRIAL CONTROL - A method according to the present invention for changing of an operating mode of at least one industrial control ( | 06-24-2010 |
20100161122 | Robotic System For Synchronously Reproducing Facial Expression And Speech And Related Method Thereof - A robotic system and a related method for reproducing a real person's facial expression and speech simultaneously and synchronously is provided herein. The robotic system comprises at least a robotic head which in turn comprises a speaker, a plurality of face actuators, and a computing engine. The robotic head drives the speaker and the face actuators synchronously based on a speech segment and a sequence of time-stamped control vectors so that the robotic system could mimic a real person's facial expression and speech. The speech segment and the sequence of time-stamped control vectors are retrieved from a storage device of the robotic system, or from an external source via an appropriate communication mechanism. | 06-24-2010 |
20100168911 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING ROBOT COMPONENTS - An apparatus for managing robot components in an intelligent robot includes a robot application including a plurality of robot components, a robot application management tool that manages the operation of the robot application, monitors the status caused by the operations of the robot application and information on the robot components, a lifecycle manager that manages lifecycles of the robot components under the management of the robot application management tool, and an operation system that transfers a sensing signal about peripheral environment generated from the sensor to the robot application, and transfers an execution signal from the robot application to the actuator. | 07-01-2010 |
20100168912 | METHOD OF INVOKING ASYNCHRONOUS FUNCTION FOR CONTROLLING ROBOTS - A method of invoking an asynchronous function includes: requesting asynchronous operation performance according to the asynchronous function invoking; immediately transferring results according to the request of the asynchronous operation performance and returning a control object that can control the asynchronous operation performance of the corresponding asynchronous function; confirming the performance state of the asynchronous operation through the returned control object and confirming whether the state can be cancelled; if it is determined that the performance state of the asynchronous operation can be cancelled, confirming whether a forced cancellation request is requested; and if it is determined that the forced cancellation request is received, forcibly cancelling the asynchronous operation performance. | 07-01-2010 |
20100174407 | LASER PROCESSING ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM MEDIUM - A laser processing robot control system is provided with a robot ( | 07-08-2010 |
20100179688 | Robot and walking control apparatus and method thereof - Disclosed are a robot, in which a walking pattern of the robot is changed into a new walking pattern by stages when it is necessary to suddenly change the walking pattern to promote stabilization in walking, and a walking control apparatus and method thereof. When the walking pattern is changed, a preview time is decreased by stages and then is restored to its original state and thus it is possible to prevent the robot from losing its balance. | 07-15-2010 |
20100185324 | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A ROBOTIC ARM - A device for controlling a robotic arm ( | 07-22-2010 |
20100185325 | Apparatus and method for controlling multi-axis robot - An apparatus and method for controlling a multi-axis robot are disclosed. An upper controller generates control commands corresponding to a plurality of actuators mounted to axes of a multi-axis robot, and transmits the control commands to servo-controllers over a network. The servo-controllers transmit control commands to the plurality of actuators, and transmit sensor information acting as measurement data indicating status information of the actuators to the upper controller. | 07-22-2010 |
20100191371 | MONITORING OF A MEDICAL DEVICE - The present embodiments relate to a monitoring system for a medical device, wherein the medical device comprises a robot and an image recording part which can be moved by the robot. Provision is made for a radiation source which is attached to the medical device, and for a radiation receiver which is situated remotely from the medical device and is for receiving radiation that is emitted from the radiation source. A comparison entity compares the point of impact of radiation on the radiation receiver with one or more predetermined points of impact of radiation on the radiation receiver. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for monitoring a medical device. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191372 | PRODUCTION SYSTEM HAVING COOPERATING PROCESS AREA BETWEEN HUMAN AND ROBOT - A production system in which a human and a robot may simultaneously perform a cooperative task in the same area while ensuring human's safety. A robot is positioned at one side of a working table, and an operator is positioned at the other side of the working table. The reachable area of the operator is limited by the working table. An area of the working table is divided into an area where only the operator may perform a task, an area where only the robot may perform a task, and an area where both the operator and the robot may enter. In a cooperation mode, the maximum movement speed of a component of the robot is limited lower than when the component of the robot is outside the cooperative task area, and, the motion of the robot is limited so that the robot does not enter a robot entry-prohibited area. | 07-29-2010 |
20100204828 | MOVEMENT PATH GENERATION DEVICE FOR ROBOT - A movement path generating device for a robot is provided which can generate a movement path of a jointed robot satisfying a constraint condition and accomplishing optimization of various estimation conditions. The movement path generating device for a robot generating a movement path of a jointed robot with a dynamic constraint includes: constraint condition acquiring means for acquiring a constraint condition of the robot; estimation condition acquiring means for acquiring an estimation condition of the robot; posture generating means for generating a plurality of postures of the robot satisfying the constraint condition; posture estimating means for estimating the plurality of postures generated by the posture generating means on the basis of the estimation condition; posture selecting means for selecting one posture out of the plurality of postures generated by the posture generating means on the basis of the estimation result by the posture estimating means; and movement path generating means for generating the movement path of the robot using the posture selected by the posture selecting means. | 08-12-2010 |
20100204829 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF AXES IN AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT SYSTEM AND AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT SYSTEM - An industrial robot system including a workcell including a load area and a process area. A detector detects when a human enters the load area. A manipulator is located in the workcell. At least one positioner is adapted to hold a workpiece and to change the orientation of the workpiece about at least one axis while the manipulator processes the workpiece. A station exchanger is movable about an axis and adapted to move, upon command, the manipulator or the positioner between the load and process area. Each of the axes is provided with a motor and a drive unit. An axis controller is adapted to switch between executing a first task in which the axes of the positioner and the station exchanger are commanded to a standstill, and a second task in which the axes of the positioner and the station exchanger are allowed to move. A safety controller is adapted to supervise, upon detecting that a human is entering the load area, whether any of the station exchanger or the positioner is moving, and to generate a signal which disables the drive unit of the moving axis if it is detected that any of the supervised axes is moving. | 08-12-2010 |
20100204830 | SELF-CLEANING ADHESIVE STRUCTURE AND METHODS - A method and apparatus for transporting an object from one workstation to another, or for manipulating an object within a workstation, where the object or workstations may be contaminated with unwanted dirt or dust particles, are disclosed. The object is gripped at one work station with a movable transfer arm a movable transfer arm having an end effector composed of an array of nano-scale projections, where each projection provides one or more distal contact ends, the density of contact ends is such as to grip a surface of the object with an intermolecular force sufficient to hold the object for movement, where the relative sizes of the object and particles are such that the object makes contact with severalfold times of the number of contact ends than contacted by such particles. After moving the gripped object to the other workstation, the end effector is manipulated to release the gripped object at the other workstation. Before, during or after transport of the object, the arm's end effector is brought into contact with a cleaning surface having a surface energy interaction with particles carried on said effector as great or greater than the surface energy interaction between particles and effector, thereby to transfer such particles to the cleaning surface. Also disclosed is an apparatus for transporting small elements or objects in a nano- or micro-fabrication assembly or in printing, and a self-cleaning adhesive tape. | 08-12-2010 |
20100217434 | Method and Device for Controlling Motion of an Industrial Robot With a Position Switch - A method for controlling a multi-axis industrial robot or manipulator arranged with a robot control unit. The robot or the control unit includes at least one first computer running a servo controller. A motion limit is configured for at least one axis of the robot arm. A reference signal for a robot position is sent to a robot controller together with a measurement of a position of the robot arm. The reference position is processed and the measured position and the processed reference position are then compared in an evaluator for the purpose of limiting the motion of an arm of the robot. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217435 | AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM AND AUTONOMOUS ROBOT HAVING SUCH SYSTEM - An audio signal processing system includes one or more sensors for sensing audio signals. A module for computing audio signal segments of coherent signal elements, and at least one compressing module for computing a compressed representation of audio features of each audio signal segment are also included. The system also has a module for storing audio proto objects, which are data objects comprising the compressed representation and time information of the associated audio signal segment. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217436 | Method and Device for Manipulating an Object - A method for manipulating an object with a remote vehicle having a manipulator attached to a manipulator arm. The manipulator comprises a jamming or other phase change material in a housing. The method comprises pressing the manipulator housing to the object, activating the jamming or other phase change material to cause the manipulator to grasp the object, and moving one or more of the manipulator arm and the remote vehicle to manipulate the object. | 08-26-2010 |
20100222923 | Device amd method for teaching work delivery position to robot - [PROBLEMS] To provide a device and a method for teaching a work delivery position to a robot capable of teaching to the robot at low cost in a short time. | 09-02-2010 |
20100234988 | Robotic Arm With A Plurality Of Articulated Segments - A ‘tip following’ robotic arm for operating in pipes includes a plurality of articulated segments actuable to control the shape of the arm, and also is provided with guides such as wheels on some or all of the segments thereof, such that the arm may alternatively or in addition follow the shape of the pipe using the guides. | 09-16-2010 |
20100234989 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND NEUTRALIZING HAZARDOUS GOODS - The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting and safely neutralizing hazardous goods to be selected from a quantity of non-hazardous goods, having the following characteristics: a) the consecutively delivered quantity of goods to be analyzed is examined for abnormalities in a sequence of control stations ( | 09-16-2010 |
20100234990 | ROBOTIC ORDERING AND DELIVERY APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs. | 09-16-2010 |
20100241273 | Device for retrieving data from a radio frequency identification tag - A device for retrieving data from radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is disclosed. The device includes a mobile base, a robotic arm, and a data reading device. The robotic arm is attached to the mobile base. The data reading device employed to collect the data of electric tags is attached to the end of the robotic arm. A device for retrieving data from an RFID tag arrives at the position, where the electric tag is, by moving the mobile base and adjusting the height of the robotic arm. The movement is controlled according to the position and the height of the electric tag. Finally, the data reading device reads the data stored in the electric tag. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241274 | Actuator System and Control Method Thereof - A command signal generated by a command generation part is commonly used among a plurality of comparator circuits. On the other hand, a threshold at each comparator circuit is configured to be able to be set individually in accordance with external setting, and thus a drive start timing of each element constituting an actuator array can be set flexibly. | 09-23-2010 |
20100262283 | PROCESS AND ARCHITECTURE OF ROBOTIC SYSTEM TO MIMIC ANIMAL BEHAVIOR IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT - A robotic architecture for capturing the autonomous performance advantages the animal models enjoy in the natural environment is disclosed. A biomimesis process is employed to allow selective utilization of basic physical components and adaptation of a common control paradigm for each of different vehicle types. The biomimetic architecture involves five functional elements: a basic biomorphic plant for capturing the biomechanical advantages of the model organism; a neural circuit-based controller consisting of a finite state machine; myomorphic actuators producing linear graded force in response to trains of current pulses for mediating movements; labeled line code output by neuromorphic sensors; and a reactive behavioral sequencer executing command sequences defined within a behavioral library. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262284 | CONTROLLING MACHINE ACTIONS BASED ON LUMINANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHT AND DISTANCE FROM USER - A control system for controlling actions performed by a machine includes a sensor module for sensing environmental condition around the machine, an estimation unit for estimating the environmental condition detected by the sensor, a motor for controlling movement of the machine, a control unit for calculating a magnitude of motion according to the estimated environmental condition, the magnitude of motion used for controlling the movement of the machine, and a motor drive circuit for driving the motor to move the machine using the calculated magnitude of motion. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262285 | ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot control device that controls operation of a robot having an actuator includes a casing, an actuator driver, a drive-control board, a main control board, a main power supply board, a vent passage, a cooling fan, and a holding member. | 10-14-2010 |
20100268382 | CONTROLLER OF MOBILE ROBOT - A controller for a mobile robot | 10-21-2010 |
20100274385 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT - A control system for controlling at least one industrial robot, wherein the control system comprises a plurality of software modules ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100274386 | METHOD FOR ROTATING A MECHANICAL ARM - A method for rotating a mechanical arm receives origin position parameters and final position parameters of the mechanical arm. A computer determines a position that an end joint of each of sections arrives after each iteration according to the origin position parameters and the final position parameters. The computer calculates a distance between the current position and the final position of the end joint of each of the sections and obtains a minimum distance. The coordinates of the end joint of each of the sections corresponding to the minimum distance is calculated. The computer drives each of the end joints to rotate to the calculated end joint coordinates corresponding to the minimum distance. | 10-28-2010 |
20100286821 | WALKING PATTERN GENERATION SYSTEM FOR BIPED WALKING ROBOT - A walking pattern generation system generates a walking pattern of a biped walking robot. The walking pattern generation system includes a pole-zero controller for converting a target pattern data input to the system into a reference pattern data through a first transfer function, and a walking pattern generation unit for converting the reference pattern data into a walking pattern data through a second transfer function and outputting the converted walking pattern data, wherein the second transfer function has an unstable zero, and wherein the first transfer function includes a transfer function approximated to an inverse of the unstable zero of the second transfer function. | 11-11-2010 |
20100286822 | Apparatus and method for robot control - A robot control method for controlling robot walking includes: generating control information, based on a plurality of postures corresponding to different points of time and at least including a reference posture when a robot is independently standing without falling down, and controlling the robot so that the robot performs a predetermined walking motion; and determining whether a value of a gyro index is larger than a predetermined threshold value, during the controlling of the robot, and, when the value of the gyro index is larger than the predetermined threshold value, performs a reflex control processing. | 11-11-2010 |
20100286823 | ROBOT - Provided is a robot capable of appropriately adjusting a position and the like of a main body in view of executing a specified task involving an interaction with a target object. While the position and posture of the main body ( | 11-11-2010 |
20100292835 | AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS WITH PLANNING IN UNPREDICTABLE, DYNAMIC AND COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS - A controller for the motion control of a robot, comprises:
| 11-18-2010 |
20100292836 | Cellular Automotion Digital Material - Cellular automotion digital material is useable for rapid prototyping and fabrication of continuous string conformations and two- or three-dimensional shapes through actuation of a string, surface, or volume composed of identical discrete units. Each unit is an actuated joint having a single degree of freedom. The actuated joint includes a two-part actuator having an inner active portion and an outer passive portion that are controllably rotatable relative to each other, the outer portion being configured to fit within the housing of an adjacent cellular automotion unit, and a linkage element that includes a main strut and a housing and is connected to the actuator by a pin connector. The housing is configured to house the actuator of an adjacent cellular automation unit, and the opening in the strut is rotated about the axis of symmetry of the cellular automotion unit relative to the opening in the housing so that the alignment of the cellular automotion unit will be rotated with respect to the alignment of any adjacent unit. The cellular automotion unit may include an on-board processor for controlling actuation of the cellular automotion unit. | 11-18-2010 |
20100292837 | ROBOT HAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - A robot hand has a pipe which is sufficiently flexible to allow a change in the cross-sectional area thereof according to the pressure of a fluid, thereby permitting a higher degree of freedom of the layouts of the pipe and a master cylinder connected through the pipe. Moreover, considerations are given to a change in the cross-sectional area of the pipe caused by a change in the pressure of the fluid in the pipe, thus making it possible to measure the position of a slave piston with high accuracy. | 11-18-2010 |
20100305751 | POWER CONSUMPTION ESTIMATION APPARATUS - A power consumption estimation apparatus comprising an execution part for executing an operation program of a robot, a velocity calculation part for each axis drive motor of the robot, a torque calculation part for each axis drive motor, a current value calculation part for calculating a current value of each axis drive motor; a mechanical work calculation part; a motor heat amount calculation part; and an amplifier heat amount calculation part for each axis drive motor, an output electric energy calculation part for the robot controller, a controller heat calculation part for the robot controller, and a power consumption calculation part for the robot system based on the mechanical work of each axis drive motor, the amount of heat of each axis drive motor, the amount of heat of the amplifier, and the amount of heat of the robot controller. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305752 | Localisation System - A robotic system comprises a transmitter emitting a plurality of angularly-spaced beams of radiation in an area; and a robot moving within said area and able to detect when it is in the path of one of said beams. On moving through a measured distance across the paths of two or more of the beams, the robot can determine the relative position of the transmitter and the robot by using the distance and the angular spacing of the beams. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305753 | Method And Device For Controlling A Manipulator - According to a method according to the invention for controlling a manipulator, in particular a robot ( | 12-02-2010 |
20100318222 | AUTOMATED PLUMBING, WIRING, AND REINFORCEMENT - An apparatus may include a nozzle assembly configured to extrude material through an outlet; and a controllable robotic arm coupled to the nozzle assembly, the robotic arm having at one end a gripper configured to pick up an element and deposit the element at a desired position relative to the extruded material. The element may be one of: a reinforcement member for a structure being constructed; a segment of a plumbing pipe; an electric network component; and a tile. | 12-16-2010 |
20100324729 | ROBOT SYSTEM FOR LOADING EQUIPMENT WITH GENERAL CARGO UNITS - In a robot system, and a method for operating a robot system, for loading general cargo units, a gripper unit of the robot is operated to stack the general cargo units in a stack, by movements controlled by a computerized control unit. In order to avoid unstable loading patterns, the computerized control unit automatically determines the loading pattern of the stack of general cargo units, and also automatically determines at least one characteristic that represents the stability of the loading pattern. | 12-23-2010 |
20100324730 | DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT AND METHOD FOR MANAGING AVAILABLE RESOURCES THEREOF - In a method and a computer system for controlling an industrial robot, multiple data packets are received by the computer system, each of the data packets having a destination address with different priority classes being associated therewith in advance by the computer system. A chronological association of tasks with the resources of the computer system is made for processing the individual received data packets, based on the relevant priority class of the destination address of a received data packet. | 12-23-2010 |
20100324731 | METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING A DESIRED AREA OF CONFINEMENT FOR AN AUTONOMOUS ROBOT AND AUTONOMOUS ROBOT IMPLEMENTING A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR EXECUTING THE SAME - A method of establishing an area of confinement and an autonomous robot for performing a task within the area of confinement. In one aspect, the invention can be a method of defining an area of confinement comprising: positioning the autonomous robot at a starting point P | 12-23-2010 |
20100324732 | WAFER CENTER FINDING WITH A KALMAN FILTER - A device is provided having a robotic arm for handling a wafer, the robotic arm including one or more encoders that provide encoder data identifying a position of one or more components of the robotic arm. The device also having a processor adapted to apply an extended Kalman Filter to the encoder data to estimate a position of the wafer. | 12-23-2010 |
20100332030 | ARM WITH A COMBINED SHAPE AND FORCE SENSOR - A bend sensor is used to determine force applied to a robotic arm. The force may be an external force applied to the arm, an internal actuation force, or both. In some aspects, a stiffening element is used to restore the arm to a minimum kinematic energy state. In other aspects, the stiffening element is eliminated, and the arm is fully actuated. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332031 | RATCHETING FOR MASTER ALIGNMENT OF A TELEOPERATED MINIMALLY-INVASIVE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A minimally-invasive surgical system includes a slave surgical instrument having a slave surgical instrument tip and a master grip. The slave surgical instrument tip has an alignment in a common frame of reference and the master grip, which is coupled to the slave surgical instrument, has an alignment in the common frame of reference. An alignment error, in the common frame of reference, is a difference in alignment between the alignment of the slave surgical instrument tip and the alignment of the master grip. A ratcheting system (i) coupled to the master grip to receive the alignment of the master grip and (ii) coupled to the slave surgical instrument, to control motion of the slave by continuously reducing the alignment error, as the master grip moves, without autonomous motion of the slave surgical instrument tip and without autonomous motion of the master grip. | 12-30-2010 |
20110004339 | AUTONOMOUS COVERAGE ROBOT NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A navigation beacon controls movement of a mobile robot in first and second areas. The navigation beacon includes a portable housing, a power source, and an emitter. The emitter is operable to emit a gateway marking emission when the robot is within a field of detection that extends between the areas. The gateway marking emission is detectable by the robot and prevents the robot from moving from one of the areas, through the field of detection, to the other of the areas. A switch is operable to switch the navigation beacon to be in an OFF mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in an OFF state, a confinement mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in an ON state, and a navigation mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in the ON state and automatically switches to the OFF state in response to a predetermined condition. | 01-06-2011 |
20110010006 | ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM - A robot control system has a portable operating device TP and a robot control device RC. The portable operating device TP is actuated by a rechargeable secondary battery and used to operate a robot R. The robot control device RC is capable of wireless communication with the portable operating device TP and performs automatic operation of the robot R based on teaching data provided by the portable operating device TP. The robot control system causes an emergency stop of the robot R when the wireless communication between the portable operating device TP and the robot control device RC is interrupted. The robot control system further includes a charging device CU, a connection monitoring section | 01-13-2011 |
20110029128 | CONTROL-COMMAND ARCHITECTURE FOR A MOBILE ROBOT USING ARTICULATED LIMBS - The present invention applies to a mobile robot which can have a human appearance and sophisticated functions enabling it to execute missions. To enable communications internal to the robot to be optimized and allow for a versatility that is both physical (possible substitution of parts of the robot) and software (replacement of programs to adapt it to new missions), an architecture with three computer levels is provided. The highest level comprises the intelligence of the robot which generates commands which are transmitted by an intermediate computer to low-level cards which control the sensors and actuators. Communication between the intermediate computer and the low-level cards is managed by at least one specific secure communication protocol. | 02-03-2011 |
20110029129 | ROBOTIZED SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING A PATIENT WITH RESPECT TO AT LEAST ONE PARTICLE SOURCE - A robotized system ( | 02-03-2011 |
20110040404 | SMOOTH CONTROL OF AN ARTICULATED INSTRUMENT ACROSS AREAS WITH DIFFERENT WORK SPACE CONDITIONS - An articulated instrument is controllably movable between areas of different work space limits, such as when it is extendable out of and retractable into a guide tube. To avoid abrupt transitions in joint actuations as the joint moves between areas of different work space limits, a controller limits error feedback used to control its movement. To provide smooth joint control as the instrument moves between areas of different work space limits, the controller imposes barrier and ratcheting constraints on each directly actuatable joint of the instrument when the joint is commanded to cross between areas of different work space limits. | 02-17-2011 |
20110040405 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM CONTROLLING WHOLE-BODY OPERATION OF HUMANOID ROBOT - Disclosed are an apparatus, a method and a computer-readable medium controlling whole-body operation of a humanoid robot. The humanoid robot recognizes a motion control code using binary data mapped according to a motion command represented by a language understood by a human to implement a whole-body operation. Since a control mode corresponding to a task space control and a control mode corresponding to a joint space control are used together to describe whole-body motion, the whole-body operation more similar to a human action may be easily implemented. | 02-17-2011 |
20110046779 | Remote Contrivance Refurbishment Apparatus & Related Methods - Disclosed is a remote contrivance refurbishment apparatus and related methods. | 02-24-2011 |
20110054679 | INTEGRATED TISSUE PROCESSING AND EMBEDDING SYSTEMS, AND METHODS THEREOF - Apparatus and methods for integrating tissue processors and embedding systems. An apparatus, of one aspect, includes a robot. The robot has a work envelope that encompasses a location having a tissue holder and an input of an embedding system. The tissue holder has at least one processed tissue. The robot is configured to transfer the tissue holder from the location to the input of the embedding system. A method, of one aspect, may include moving a robot to a location having a tissue holder. The tissue holder may have at least one processed tissue. The robot may engage with the tissue holder at the location. The robot may move the tissue holder from the location to an input to an embedding system. The robot may disengage from the tissue holder at the input to the embedding system. Other methods, apparatus, and systems are also disclosed. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054680 | METHOD OF DETERMINING FAILURE OF ROBOT - A failure can be determined while a production line is operating by determining as a failure when motor output torque average value τmAA, which is an average value of N (N is a positive integer) pieces of motor output torque values τmA, exceeds first failure determination reference value τmth, and external force torque estimated average value τdAA, which is an average value of N pieces of external force torque estimated values τdA, exceeds second failure determination reference value τdth. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054681 | ROBOT - A robot, having left and right leg portions on a lower portion of a body, each of the legs has a wheel attached at a tip of the leg portion, to be drivable, a suspension having a spring and a dumper attached in parallel, between the wheel and the body, and an actuator attached between the suspension and the body. The suspension and the actuator are connected in series, and an inclination detecting means mounted on the body detects an inclination angle and an angular velocity of the robot with respect to a direction of gravity. A control instruction value outputting means controls the actuator upon basis of information thereof, so that the robot travels along a target angle and a target angular velocity thereof. The, spring is connected with an actuator expanding and constructing up and down, in series. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054682 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes a crane unit, a crane moving mechanism, a manipulator unit, and a controller. The crane unit is configured to suspend a workpiece. The crane moving mechanism allows the crane unit to move in a horizontal direction. The manipulator unit holds and moves the crane unit supporting the workpiece. The controller is configured to control the crane unit to support the workpiece at a first position and control the manipulator unit to move the crane unit supporting the workpiece toward a second position and to place the supported workpiece at the second position. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054683 | ARTICLE CARRIER ROBOT - An article carrier robot includes: a horizontal base; a horizontally movable unit supported by the horizontal base so as to be movable in a horizontal direction; a robot main body supported by the horizontally movable unit; at least one of wiring and piping introduced into the robot main body from the horizontal base; and a restriction unit supported by the horizontally movable unit so as to be swayable about a pivot provided to the horizontally movable unit. The restriction unit is configured to restrict deformation of a part of the at least one of wiring and piping. | 03-03-2011 |
20110071670 | MECHANICAL IMPLEMENT UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATION - A mechanical implement adapted for use in an autonomously functioning device, such as a robot arm, and including an active material, such as shape memory polymer, element that when activated and/or deactivated is operable to modify the mechanical impedance of a joint or link in the device. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071671 | DEXTEROUS HUMANOID ROBOTIC WRIST - A humanoid robot includes a torso, a pair of arms, a neck, a head, a wrist joint assembly, and a control system. The arms and the neck movably extend from the torso. Each of the arms includes a lower arm and a hand that is rotatable relative to the lower arm. The wrist joint assembly is operatively defined between the lower arm and the hand. The wrist joint assembly includes a yaw axis and a pitch axis. The pitch axis is disposed in a spaced relationship to the yaw axis such that the axes are generally perpendicular. The pitch axis extends between the yaw axis and the lower arm. The hand is rotatable relative to the lower arm about each of the yaw axis and the pitch axis. The control system is configured for determining a yaw angle and a pitch angle of the wrist joint assembly. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071672 | FRAMEWORK AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A ROBOTIC SYSTEM USING A DISTRIBUTED COMPUTER NETWORK - A robotic system for performing an autonomous task includes a humanoid robot having a plurality of compliant robotic joints, actuators, and other integrated system devices that are controllable in response to control data from various control points, and having sensors for measuring feedback data at the control points. The system includes a multi-level distributed control framework (DCF) for controlling the integrated system components over multiple high-speed communication networks. The DCF has a plurality of first controllers each embedded in a respective one of the integrated system components, e.g., the robotic joints, a second controller coordinating the components via the first controllers, and a third controller for transmitting a signal commanding performance of the autonomous task to the second controller. The DCF virtually centralizes all of the control data and the feedback data in a single location to facilitate control of the robot across the multiple communication networks. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071673 | ACTUATOR AND ELECTRONICS PACKAGING FOR EXTRINSIC HUMANOID HAND - The lower arm assembly for a humanoid robot includes an arm support having a first side and a second side, a plurality of wrist actuators mounted to the first side of the arm support, a plurality of finger actuators mounted to the second side of the arm support and a plurality of electronics also located on the first side of the arm support. | 03-24-2011 |
20110087371 | RESPONSIVE CONTROL METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A TELEPRESENCE ROBOT - A method and apparatus for controlling a telepresence robot. | 04-14-2011 |
20110087372 | ROBOT MILKING ARM AND A METHOD OF ATTACHING MILKING CUPS - A robotic milking system suitable for use with conventional milking clusters. Clusters are withdrawn to a generally known position upon release from a cow with the cups hanging down below the bowl. The cups are then located in a confined region from where they are picked up by a robotic arm and attached to teats of a cow. The cups may be located into recesses or slots or be drawn through a guide. The arrangement allows a single robotic arm to service multiple bales of a rotary milking parlour. The application of a vacuum to milking cups may be controlled by applying sufficient pressure to the pulsation line of a cup to collapse the cup liner when that cup is not attached to a teat or by bending a feed line to a cup to close the flow path. | 04-14-2011 |
20110098852 | ROBOTIC MANUFACTURING SYSTEM WITH ACCURATE CONTROL - A robot mechanism for controlling the position of a machine tool in a large-scale manufacturing assembly includes six rotary axes and one linear axis. Secondary feedback systems are included on at least several of the axes. A controller receives secondary feedback information and uses it to control the position of the machine tool within an accuracy of ±0.3 mm. | 04-28-2011 |
20110098853 | DETECTING APPARATUS OF ROBOT CLEANER AND CONTROLLING METHOD OF ROBOT CLEANER - A method for controlling a robot cleaner includes: detecting a cleaning target space, setting a cleaning region within the detected cleaning space and cleaning the set cleaning region; if the set cleaning region is completely cleaned, moving to a not-yet-cleaned region adjacent to a cleaning completion spot of the cleaning region; and setting a new cleaning region in the not-yet-cleaned region and performing cleaning. Without repeating a cleaning region in the cleaning target space, the robot cleaner can extend its cleaning region, so the cleaning efficiency of the robot cleaner can be improved. Also, the robot cleaner can be smoothly enter a new cleaning target space or released therefrom. In particular, even when the entrance of the new cleaning target space is narrow, the robot cleaner can smoothly enter the new cleaning target space and gets out thereof. | 04-28-2011 |
20110098854 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A MULTIPLE-MACHINE ARRANGEMENT - In a method and device to control a multiple-machine arrangement with at least one first controller and one second controller, specific data packages for the controllers are generated, these specific data packages are transferred to the controllers, the transferred data packages are selectively activated, and downloading of the data packages is implemented in the controllers as a result of an activation, in particular installation of at least one program and/or one configuration file. | 04-28-2011 |
20110098855 | Multi-Directionally Movable Vehicle And Method - The present invention relates to a multi-directionally movable vehicle ( | 04-28-2011 |
20110106302 | ROBOT ARM ASSEMBLY AND INDUSTRIAL ROBOT USING THE SAME - A robot arm assembly includes a first joint unit, a first motor, a first gear transmission, a second joint unit, a second motor, a second gear transmission, a third joint unit and a control unit. The first joint unit, the second joint unit and the third joint unit are rotatably connected in order, and rotatable around a first, second, and third axes respectively. The first gear transmission is coupled to the first motor to drive the first joint unit. The second gear transmission is coupled to the second motor to drive the second joint unit. The control unit controls the first and second motors. The first joint unit, the second joint unit and third joint unit intersect at a point. An angle between the second axis and the third axis is between zero and 90°. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106303 | Robot and control method of optimizing robot motion performance thereof - A robot and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The robot derives a maximum dynamic performance capability using a specification of an actuator of the robot. The control method includes forming a first bell-shaped velocity profile in response to a start time and an end time of a motion of the robot, calculating a value of an objective function having a limited condition according to the bell-shaped velocity profile, and driving a joint in response to a second bell-shaped velocity profile that minimizes the objective function having the limited condition. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106304 | DEVICE, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING TAUGHT POINT - A taught point correcting device for correcting a taught point in an operation program of a robot. The device includes a judging section judging whether position data of any of a plurality of different taught points, previously taught and included in an operation program, has been corrected or not; and a data correcting section correcting, when the judging section judges that position data of a first taught point among the different taught points has been corrected, position data of a correlative taught point having a relative positional relationship with the first taught point, in accordance with a taught-point rule previously prescribing the relative positional relationship between the different taught points. The device may also include a storing section storing the taught-point rule. The taught-point rule may include a rule prescribing a distance between any two taught points among the different taught points. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106305 | MANIPULATOR ROBOT AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL FOR FINE POSITIONING OF THE TERMINAL END - The disclosure relates to a robot that has an articulated arm for moving an end in an N-dimensional space including at least N+1 motorized articulations, and a computer for controlling the movements of the motorized articulations. The computer controls a first step of prepositioning the terminal end of the articulated arm and a second step for its fine positioning. | 05-05-2011 |
20110118870 | ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM, ROBOT, PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - A robot control system includes a user information acquisition section ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110118871 | THEREMIN-PLAYER ROBOT - A thereminist robot has a characteristic model of theremin and is capable of performing in response to an environment of theremin performance by calibrating the characteristic model before the performance. A robot | 05-19-2011 |
20110118872 | Medical Robot And Method For Meeting The Performance Requirements Of A Medical Robot - The invention relates to a medical robot (R) and a method for meeting the performance requirements of a medical robot (R). The robot (R) comprises several axes ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110118873 | ROBOT AND INSTRUCTION METHOD THEREOF - A robot arm having a distal end to which a wrist axis is rotatably provided; arm drive unit, each configured to move the robot arm; a wrist axis drive unit configured to rotate the wrist axis; and a robot control unit configured to control the arm drive unit and wrist axis drive unit. The robot control unit is configured to control the arm drive unit to move the distal end of the robot arm to bring a contact member attached to the wrist axis into contact with an instruction target, thereby detecting a posture of the robot arm and an angular position of the wrist axis when the wrist axis begins to be angularly displaced due to the contact between the contact member and the instruction target, thus determining a position of an instruction point. | 05-19-2011 |
20110125320 | Method And Apparatus For Planning And/Or Control Of A Robot Application - A method according to the invention for planning and/or controlling a robot application ( | 05-26-2011 |
20110125321 | Method And Device For Controlling Manipulators - According to a method according to the invention for controlling at least one manipulator, in particular a robot, a plurality of control commands (P, B, F) are worked through, in that in a state machine (ZM) the respective command runs through an active state (-A), wherein in a state machine at least one control command runs through a preliminary state (-E) that is placed ahead of its active state and/or a post-operational state (-P) that is placed after its active state, and/or a plurality of control commands are processed at the same time. | 05-26-2011 |
20110125322 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR APPLYING A COATING MATERIAL USING A PROGRAMMABLE ROBOT - In order to program the sealing membranes to be applied to attachment parts of vehicle bodies, for example to the edge-formed seam of vehicle doors using a robot, an attachment part may be removed from the body and, away from the latter, be mounted on a teach frame where all regions of the attachment part which need to be coated are highly visible to the programmer during programming. | 05-26-2011 |
20110130874 | MOVING DEVICES AND CONTROLLING METHODS THEREFOR - A moving device is provided. A first receiving device receives an emitted light from a base station and obtains a direction from a start position, which the moving device is in to the base station according to the emitted light to serve as a target direction. A driving device drives the moving device to move in the target direction from the start position. When the moving device meets a first obstacle which is disposed along the target direction and in the target area, a second receiving device obtains a distance between the moving device and the base station according to the received emitted light to serve as a middle distance. When a determination device determines that the middle distance is not equal to a predetermined distance, the driving device drives the moving device to detour around the first obstacle and move in the target direction continuously. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130875 | ROBOT DOCKING STATION AND ROBOT FOR USE THEREWITH - A docking station ( | 06-02-2011 |
20110137456 | AGRICULTURAL ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An agricultural robot system and method of harvesting, pruning, culling, weeding, measuring and managing of agricultural crops. Uses autonomous and semi-autonomous robot(s) comprising machine-vision using cameras that identify and locate the fruit on each tree, points on a vine to prune, etc., or may be utilized in measuring agricultural parameters or aid in managing agricultural resources. The cameras may be coupled with an arm or other implement to allow views from inside the plant when performing the desired agricultural function. A robot moves through a field first to “map” the plant locations, number and size of fruit and approximate positions of fruit or map the cordons and canes of grape vines. Once the map is complete, a robot or server can create an action plan that a robot may implement. An action plan may comprise operations and data specifying the agricultural function to perform. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137457 | ROBOTIC ORDERING AND DELIVERY APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems, methods and devices for the automated retrieval/delivery of goods from one location to another using a robotic device such as a tug and accompanying cart. A computer within the tug/cart stores a map of the building floor plan and intended paths for the tug to take when traversing from one location to the next. During the delivery, a variety of different sensors and scanners gather data that is used to avoid obstacles and/or continuously adjust the movement of the tug in order to more closely follow the intended path. The system preferably includes wireless networks that allow one or more tugs to communicate with a tug base station, a primary network located at the site of the delivery and a remote host center that monitors the status and data collected by the tugs. | 06-09-2011 |
20110144802 | Control System for Robotic Vehicles - A method and apparatus may be present for controlling robotic vehicles. A processor system may identify hardware for a robotic vehicle to form an identification. The processor system may run an interface layer for the hardware for the robotic vehicle using the identification. The interface layer may be configured to receive information from the hardware in which the information may be received using a number of protocols for the hardware. The processor system may send the information received from the hardware to a control layer in which a number of applications running in the control layer may be configured to indirectly control operation of the robotic vehicle. The information may be received in the control layer using a protocol used by the number of applications. | 06-16-2011 |
20110144803 | REAL-TIME DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEM, REAL-TIME DISTRIBUTED CONTROL METHOD, AND ROBOT - There is provided a real-time distributed control system which can prevent a delay of execution by a hard real-time control system. In the real-time distributed control system, a receiving computer includes a receiving component which receives a message, and an operation cycle obtaining unit which obtains the operation cycle of the receiving component upon activation of the system, and transmits a monitoring condition associated with the obtained operation cycle to a transmission-rate-monitoring-condition setting unit. A transmitting computer includes a transmitting component which transmits the message, the transmission-rate-monitoring-condition setting unit which sets the monitoring condition in a transmission-rate-monitoring-condition memory unit, and a transmission rate monitoring unit which monitors a transmission rate from the transmitting component based on the monitoring condition stored in the transmission-rate-monitoring-condition memory unit, and suppresses a transmission interval of the message when the transmission rate of the message does not satisfy the monitoring condition. | 06-16-2011 |
20110153072 | ENHANCED VISUAL LANDMARK FOR LOCALIZATION - The different illustrative embodiments provide a localization apparatus comprising an identification signal and an orientation controller. The identification signal is for recognition by a localized machine for utilizing the localization apparatus as a location point. The orientation controller is configured to control an orientation of the identification signal dependent upon an orientation of the localization apparatus in a defined environment. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153073 | FAULT TOLERANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROBOT SOFTWARE COMPONENT - An apparatus for performing fault tolerance against a failure occurring during driving robot software components includes: a component executor for executing the robot software components, which are assigned with one thread from an operating system and have a same priority and cycle, by using the assigned thread; and an executor monitor for periodically monitoring the operation of the component executor and determining whether or not there is a failure in the robot software components executed by the component executor. The apparatus further includes: an executor manager for generating the component executor which is assigned with the robot software components having the same priority and cycle and, when the executor monitor determines that there is a failure in the execution of the robot software components, generating a new component executor. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153074 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EXECUTING ROBOT TASK USING ROBOT MODEL DEFINITION - Provided is an apparatus for executing a robot task using a robot model definition. A task execution apparatus include: a storage unit to store at least one robot model, at least one robot behavior, and at least one robot task; and a task execution unit to generate at least one execution object from the stored at least one robot model, at least one robot behavior, and at least one robot task, and to execute a task of a robot from a corresponding execution object among the generated at least one execution object in response to an execution command input from a user. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153075 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LOADING SERVICE APPLICATION OF ROBOT BASED ON UBIQUITOUS ROBOTIC COMPANION (URC) ENVIRONMENT - Disclosed are a method and a device for loading a service application of a robot based on a ubiquitous robotic companion (URC) environment. The method for loading a service application of a robot includes: generating a service code for a service which is implemented by the robot from at least one descriptor; and generating at least one service object based on the generated service code and loading the at least one generated service object on the robot. | 06-23-2011 |
20110153076 | ROBOT SYSTEM, AND CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - A robot system, including an arm capable of controlling a position and orientation of an arm tip portion, a hand, which is attached to the arm tip portion and which includes a grasping mechanism configured to grasp an operation target, capable of controlling a relative position and orientation from the arm tip portion of the grasped operation target, and a position and orientation measurement apparatus configured to perform relative position and orientation measurement from the arm tip portion of the grasped operation target, wherein measurement of the relative position and orientation from the arm tip portion of the operation target is performed after the operation target is grasped by the grasping mechanism, while the arm tip portion is still moving, and correction of the relative position and orientation from the arm tip portion of the hand is performed based on a result of the position and orientation measurement so that the arm tip portion takes a predetermined relative position and orientation from the arm tip portion. | 06-23-2011 |
20110160903 | Articulated Joint and Three Points of Contact - A robotic cleaner includes a cleaning assembly for cleaning a surface and a main robot body. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and a width of the cleaning assembly is greater than a width of the main robot body. A robotic cleaning system includes a main robot body and a plurality of cleaning assemblies for cleaning a surface. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and each of the cleaning assemblies is detachable from the main robot body and each of the cleaning assemblies has a unique cleaning function. | 06-30-2011 |
20110166701 | ADAPTIVE SCHEDULING OF A SERVICE ROBOT - A method for scheduling mowing tasks by a robotic mower is provided. An estimated height of grass cut by the robotic mower is determined for a predetermined number of past mowing tasks. The estimated height of grass cut is compared with a predicted height of grass in an operating environment for the robotic mower. Then, a mowing schedule for the robotic mower is adjusted by decreasing a time between mowing tasks in response to the estimated height of grass cut being greater than the predicted height of grass. Alternatively, the mowing schedule for the robotic mower is adjusted by increasing the time between mowing tasks in response to the estimated height of grass cut being less than the predicted height of grass. | 07-07-2011 |
20110166702 | ELECTRONIC BOARD AND SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SUCH BOARDS - The invention relates to an electronic board (C) comprising: a microcontroller; a first interface means ( | 07-07-2011 |
20110172817 | WALKING ROBOT AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING BALANCE THEREOF - Disclosed herein are a walking robot which controls balance using an ankle when the robot walks, and a method of controlling balance thereof. In a method of determining an angle of an ankle joint without solving a complicated dynamic equation such that the robot stays balanced so as not to fall, an angle of the ground is fixed as a reference angle for balance control of the robot such that the robot stably walks while maintaining the same balance control performance even when the ground is inclined. When the robot moves slowly or quickly, the robot may maintain balance. Since the robot stays balanced using the ankle of a stance leg even when the ground is inclined, the method is simple and is applied to a robot having joints with 6 degrees of freedom. | 07-14-2011 |
20110184555 | WORKING SUPPORT ROBOT SYSTEM - The working support robot system of the present invention includes: a robot arm ( | 07-28-2011 |
20110208353 | TOOL FOR AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT - 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. | 08-25-2011 |
20110224822 | SUBSTRATE TRANSPORT APPARATUS WITH MULTIPLE INDEPENDENTLY MOVABLE ARTICULATED ARMS - A substrate transport apparatus including a drive section having at least one drive shaft and at least two scara arms operably coupled to the at least one drive shaft, the at least one drive shaft being a common drive shaft for the at least two scara arms effecting extension and retraction of the at least two scara arms, wherein the at least two scara arms are coupled to each other so that, with the at least one drive shaft coupled to the at least two scara arms, rotation of the drive shaft effects extension and retraction of one of the at least two scara arms substantially independent of motion of another of the at least two scara arms. | 09-15-2011 |
20110231013 | MAGNETIC SPHERICAL BALANCING ROBOT DRIVE - A drive system is presented for controlling rotation of a sphere. The system facilitates holonomic motion of a drive with respect to a sphere such that a holonomic drive or drives may be maintained at a relative position with respect to a sphere. The motion of a sphere may be controlled by controlling the position of a drive with respect to the sphere. The drive may be controlled by way of a controller. A holonomic drive may be urged against a sphere by way magnetic interaction of the holonomic drive and a second structure. Also, a support structure is facilitated that allows a sphere to pass through a support column without breaks or interruptions in the sphere. | 09-22-2011 |
20110231014 | Mobile Robot Internal Communication System - A peripheral device communication system includes a communications medium having physical network hardware. The system also includes a first network device capable of issuing to the physical network hardware a request to communicate a datagram with greater priority than any other communications request. This datagram encapsulates a memory register access command. The system further includes a second network device having addressable memory registers and capable of issuing to the physical network hardware a request to communicate a datagram with greater priority than any other communications request. This datagram encapsulates a response to a memory register access command. | 09-22-2011 |
20110231015 | SAMPLE ANALYSIS AND/OR SAMPLE PROCESSING SYSTEM - Sample analysis and/or sample processing system having a robotic system which has the following components:
| 09-22-2011 |
20110245970 | Systems and Methods for Evaluating Braking Performance - A system is configured to determine the performance of a braking system for a joint of a robot. The braking system is configured to apply a brake to the joint and a servo system is configured to apply a torque to the joint. The system measures performance data at the joint, identifies a performance parameter, and defines performance regions and limits that are used to evaluate the performance parameter. | 10-06-2011 |
20110251719 | Method and device for actuating a key of a keyboard with a tracer finger of a robot - There is provided a method for actuating a first key of a keyboard with a tracer finger of a robot. An exemplary method comprises acquiring parameters of the keyboard and determining a position of the first key as a function of the acquired parameters using a model of the keyboard. The exemplary method also comprises guiding the tracer finger of the robot to the determined position of the first key. The exemplary method additionally comprises actuating the first key with the tracer finger of the robot. | 10-13-2011 |
20110264263 | ROBOT AND CONTROL SYSTEM - Provided is a control system and the like capable of deriving at high speed a solution to the optimization problem of combinations of continuous state variable and discrete state variables. According to the control system, by setting a search range (first search range) of internal action candidates a | 10-27-2011 |
20110264264 | CONTROL DEVICE AND GAIT GENERATING DEVICE FOR BIPEDAL MOBILE ROBOT - A control device for a bipedal mobile robot generates a desired motion of a bipedal mobile robot. When causing the robot to perform a one-leg hopping operation, a desired motion of the robot is generated such that the proximal end portion of a free leg of the robot is positioned at a relatively higher level than the proximal end portion of a supporting leg thereof in the state wherein the supporting leg has landed on a floor after leaving from the floor and such that the horizontal distance between the total center-of-gravity point of the robot and the proximal end portion of the supporting leg in the aforesaid state is shorter than the horizontal distance therebetween in a state wherein the robot is standing in an upright posture. | 10-27-2011 |
20110270443 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING CONTACT POSITION OF ROBOT - An apparatus for detecting a contact position where a robot makes contact with an object includes a probe, a probe-position calculating unit, a contact detecting unit, and a contact-position calculating unit. The probe is attached to the robot and is configured to make a displacement in a direction of making contact with the object in an elastic manner. The probe-position calculating unit calculates a position of the probe of the robot in operation. The contact detecting unit detects a contact state of the probe with the object. When the contact state of the probe is detected, the contact-position calculating unit derives the contact position based on a calculated position of the probe. | 11-03-2011 |
20110288681 | FIVE-FINGERED HAND DEVICE - A five-fingered hand device suitably applicable to a humanoid robot is provided. The device includes a hand body ( | 11-24-2011 |
20110295419 | APPLYING WORKSPACE LIMITATIONS IN A VELOCITY-CONTROLLED ROBOTIC MECHANISM - A robotic system includes a robotic mechanism responsive to velocity control signals, and a permissible workspace defined by a convex-polygon boundary. A host machine determines a position of a reference point on the mechanism with respect to the boundary, and includes an algorithm for enforcing the boundary by automatically shaping the velocity control signals as a function of the position, thereby providing smooth and unperturbed operation of the mechanism along the edges and corners of the boundary. The algorithm is suited for application with higher speeds and/or external forces. A host machine includes an algorithm for enforcing the boundary by shaping the velocity control signals as a function of the reference point position, and a hardware module for executing the algorithm. A method for enforcing the convex-polygon boundary is also provided that shapes a velocity control signal via a host machine as a function of the reference point position. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295420 | Autonomous Robot Charging Stations and Methods - A method of charging a robotic device using a charging station is provided. The method includes signaling a controller of the charging station to actuate a moveable barrier of the charging station from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The charging station is recessed into a wall, ceiling and/or floor. The moveable barrier is actuated from the closed configuration to the open configuration thereby exposing an electrical contact of the charging station configured to engage a charging contact of the robotic device for a charging operation. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295421 | DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR RESTORING POSITIONAL INFORMATION OF ROBOT - A device for restoring positional information of a robot provided with a first member and a second member connected movable relative to each other via an articulation axis; a motor moving the second member relative to the first member; and a sensor outputting a sensor signal according to a driving amount of the motor. The device includes an imaging section obtaining an image signal in a region including a first mark and a second mark representing a positional relationship between the first member and the second member; a mark position computation section computing a first positional relationship between the first mark and the second mark at a first time and a second positional relationship between the first mark and the second mark at a second time, based on an image signal obtained by the imaging section at the first time and at the second time; and a correction section correcting positional information depending on a sensor signal output by the sensor after the second time, based on the first positional relationship and the second positional relationship, a first sensor signal output by the sensor at the first time and a second sensor signal output by the sensor at the second time. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295422 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A MANIPULATOR SYSTEM - A method for controlling a manipulator system, such as a robot system, having at least two driven axes connected to a power supply, includes selecting an axis of the manipulator system, monitoring the selected axis for a standstill state, and disconnected the selected axis from the power supply if it is detected that the selected axis is not in the standstill state, while maintaining the other non-selected axis connected to the power supply. | 12-01-2011 |
20110301751 | Low noise humanoid robotic head system - A low-noise humanoid robotic head system, which can effectively mimic motion of human head, is presented in this invention. The system is a four-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) head that has a 3DOF neck and 1DOF lip. Because the involved mechanical components are limited to cables, cable housings, shaft, fixed pulleys, ball bearing, compression springs, rods, and static base plate, the measured a-weighted noise level of the robotic head system is no more than 30 dB. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301752 | Reversing Mechanism For A Programmable Steerable Robot - A self-propelled programmable steerable robot ( | 12-08-2011 |
20110301753 | ROBOT CONTROLLER - A controller for a robot has a receiver to receive safety information via a network data connection and safety arrangement that executes at least one safety function based on at least one received item of safety information. The safety arrangement includes a deactivation arrangement to deactivate at least one safety function. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301754 | Tool Memory-Based Software Upgrades for Robotic Surgery - Robotic devices, systems, and methods for use in robotic surgery and other robotic applications, and/or medical instrument devices, systems, and methods includes both a reusable processor and a limited-use robotic tool or medical treatment probe. A memory the limited-use component includes machine readable code with data and/or programming instructions to be implemented by the processor. Programming of the processor can be updated by shipping of new data once downloaded by the processor from a component, subsequent components can take advantage of the updated processor without repeated downloading. | 12-08-2011 |
20110313568 | Robot Including Electrically Activated Joints - Robots comprising two links joined by a pivot joint are provided. In some cases, the pivot joint allows the robot to lean to either side. One link of the robot includes an electrically activated actuator such as an electric motor configured to rotate a pulley. A belt is engaged with the actuator, and the ends of the belt are coupled to the other link on either side of the pivot joint. Tensioners, such as springs, provide tension on either side of the belt. Actuating the actuator changes the position of the belt to respond to sloping surfaces and turns, for example. | 12-22-2011 |
20110313569 | Transferring Storage Devices within Storage Device Testing Systems - A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes receiving storage device information of storage devices presented for testing, querying at least one rack having test slots to obtain test slot servicing information, determining a servicing routine based on the storage device information and the test slot servicing information, and producing a command routine for executing the servicing routine. The command routine includes a sequence of automation moves for execution by an automated transporter. Producing the command routine includes executing at least one of a time-based enhancement and a sequence-based enhancement on the command routine. The time-based enhancement includes selecting a second automation move based on a start location of the second automation move and an end location of a sequentially preceding first automation move. The sequence-based enhancement includes producing a reduced sequence of automation moves for one or more storage device transfers. | 12-22-2011 |
20110313570 | AUTOMATIC MACHINE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An automatic machine includes an output unit, a storage unit and a control unit. The storage unit stores a motion pattern corresponding to a command and recording N predetermined motion information and N time tags. The control unit receives the command, reads a current motion information of the output unit, looks the motion pattern up in the storage unit according to the command and the current motion information, determines that the current motion information is between the i-th predetermined motion information and the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information, calculating a time adjusting information by the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information, the (i+1)-th time tag and the current motion information, and controls the output unit to execute the (i+1)-th predetermined motion information according to the current motion information, the first time tag through the i-th time tag, and the time adjusting information. | 12-22-2011 |
20110320038 | WORKING DEVICE AND WORKING METHOD - A working device and a working method wherein an articulated robot controls vertical movement of a balancer arm by commanding vertical movement for a balancer, and moves the balancer arm horizontally by applying an external force to the balancer arm in the horizontal direction by means of a robot arm. | 12-29-2011 |
20120004773 | GRIPPING DEVICE, TRANSFER DEVICE, PROCESSING DEVICE, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a gripping device grips a rim of a workpiece by opening and closing gripping plates. The device includes a gripping unit, a hoisting and lowering unit and a motion control unit. The gripping unit includes a first and a second gripping plate. The first gripping plate has a first gripper to contact the rim. The second gripping plate has a second gripper to contact the rim. At least one of the first and second gripping plates is moved and the first and second gripper are spaced from each other. The hoisting and lowering unit is configured to hoist and lower the gripping unit. The motion control unit is configured to control open/close operations and hoisting and lowering operations. The motion control unit mechanically controls first first hoisting and lowering operations, controls second the open/close operations, and controls third second hoisting and lowering operations. | 01-05-2012 |
20120022687 | METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING CHIP AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING CHIP - A method for transferring chips is provided for fixing one of the chips on a blue tape without sorting. A blue tape, a plurality of chips disposed thereon and a mapping data are provided, wherein the chips are disposed on the same blue tape, belong to the same wafer, and belong to a plurality of specifications. The specifications include a first specification and a second specification. The mapping data include the specifications the chips belonging to and the positions of the chips relative to the blue tape. According the mapping data, the chips belonging to the first specification are moved from the blue tape and fixed to a package carrier corresponding to the first specification. According the mapping data, the chips belonging to the second specification are moved from the blue tape and fixed to a package carrier corresponding to the second specification. A chip transferring apparatus is also provided. | 01-26-2012 |
20120035762 | Systems and Methods for Controlling a Legged Robot Based on Rate of Change of Angular Momentum - Systems and methods are presented that use the rate of change of a legged robot's centroidal angular momentum ({dot over (H)} | 02-09-2012 |
20120041592 | HARDWARE ABSTRACTION LAYER (HAL) FOR A ROBOT - Methods and apparatus that provide a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) for a robot are disclosed. A HAL can reside as a software layer or as a firmware layer residing between robot control software and underlying robot hardware and/or an operating system for the hardware. The HAL provides a relatively uniform abstract for aggregates of underlying hardware such that the underlying robotic hardware is transparent to perception and control software, i.e., robot control software. This advantageously permits robot control software to be written in a robot-independent manner. Developers of robot control software are then freed from tedious lower level tasks. Portability is another advantage. For example, the HAL efficiently permits robot control software developed for one robot to be ported to another. In one example, the HAL permits the same navigation algorithm to be ported from a wheeled robot and used on a humanoid legged robot. | 02-16-2012 |
20120059514 | ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed is a robot server including: a policy repository storing a collaboration policy model including a collaboration role of the robot and a command system configured of a simple command configured of a single command so as to perform the collaboration role and a composite command including at least one simple command; and a communication unit transmitting information on the collaboration role to be allocated to at least one robot and information on the simple command or the composite command to be allocated according to the collaboration role to the at least one robot. | 03-08-2012 |
20120065777 | Method for operating a gripping device - A method for operating a gripping device ( | 03-15-2012 |
20120072019 | CONCURRENT PATH PLANNING WITH ONE OR MORE HUMANOID ROBOTS - A robotic system includes a controller and one or more robots each having a plurality of robotic joints. Each of the robotic joints is independently controllable to thereby execute a cooperative work task having at least one task execution fork, leading to multiple independent subtasks. The controller coordinates motion of the robot(s) during execution of the cooperative work task. The controller groups the robotic joints into task-specific robotic subsystems, and synchronizes motion of different subsystems during execution of the various subtasks of the cooperative work task. A method for executing the cooperative work task using the robotic system includes automatically grouping the robotic joints into task-specific subsystems, and assigning subtasks of the cooperative work task to the subsystems upon reaching a task execution fork. The method further includes coordinating execution of the subtasks after reaching the task execution fork. | 03-22-2012 |
20120078415 | PARALLEL LINK ROBOT, AND METHOD OF TEACHING PARALLEL LINK ROBOT - A parallel link robot ( | 03-29-2012 |
20120083922 | WALKING ROBOT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A walking robot and a control method in which conversion between walking servo control methods is stably carried out. The walking robot includes a sensor unit to measure angles and torques of joints, and a control unit to calculate voltages applied in a Finite State Machine (FSM) control mode and a Zero Moment Point (ZMP) control mode according to the angles and torques of the joints to drive respective joint motors, to store last target joint angles in the FSM control mode during conversion from the FSM control mode to the ZMP control mode, and to perform a motion based on the FSM control mode by substituting the last target joint angles in the FSM control mode for target joint angles in the FSM control mode during conversion from the ZMP control mode to the FSM control mode, thereby performing stable conversion between walking servo control modes without joint sagging. | 04-05-2012 |
20120109374 | Motor velocity control apparatus and method - A motor velocity control apparatus and method in which the velocity of a motor to drive a joint of a robot is controlled. The motor velocity control apparatus and method compensates for a velocity profile used to drive a motor in real time using acceleration, thus increasing a driving velocity of the motor to the maximum velocity while stably maintaining performance of the motor. Thereby, efficiency of the motor is increased, the velocity of the motor is based on the acceleration made by data obtained through experimentation and is thus more precisely and simply calculated than the conventional compensation algorithm using dynamics, and reliability in driving of the motor is assured. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109375 | SOUND LOCALIZING ROBOT - There is provided a biomimetic robot modelling the highly directional lizard ear. Since the directionality is very robust, the neural processing is very simple. This mobile sound localizing robot can therefore easily be miniaturized. The invention is based on a simple electric circuit emulating the lizard ear acoustics with sound input from two small microphones. The circuit generates a robust directionality around 2-4 kHz. The output of the circuit is fed to a model nervous system. The nervous system model is bilateral and contains a set of band-pass filters followed by simulated EI-neurons that compare inputs from the two ears. This model is implemented in software on a digital signal processor and controls the left and right-steering motors of the robot. Additionally, the nervous system model contains a neural network that can self-adapt so as to auto-calibrate the device. | 05-03-2012 |
20120116581 | ROBOT AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A robot which is able to complete all or a part of desired operations and take a safety countermeasure in order to prevent an unexpected result from being obtained, even when a power source of a motor-based robot is unintentionally and suddenly cut off. A method of controlling a robot, which includes a main power source, a subsidiary power source and a motor to receive power from at least one of the main power source and the subsidiary power source, includes driving the motor using power supplied from the subsidiary power source if power supplied from the main power source is cut off, selecting at least one of a plurality of safety control modes to stably control the robot in consideration of a current state of the robot, and controlling the robot to operate in the selected safety control mode. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116582 | ROBOT CONTROLLING DEVICE - In the control of a multi-joint robot main body, it is necessary to execute intricate track calculations and synchronous operations in parallel, even if the track calculations are intricate and times required for the calculations are indefinite. For this purpose, a robot controlling device of the present invention includes a shared memory, and first and second processing units connected to the shared memory. The first processing unit performs track calculation processing which includes calculating operation command data indicating a series of command values to be output to arm motors, based on a command to operate the multi-joint robot main body to a desired position posture, and storing the calculated operation command data in the shared memory. The second processing unit performs synchronous processing which includes acquiring the operation command data stored in the shared memory, and synchronously outputting the command values to the arm motors at predetermined time intervals. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116583 | Mobile, climbing endless track robotic system to perform remote inspections on structures - An endless-track type mobile climbing vehicle containing a suspension apparatus, transducer manipulator and surface cleaning system to perform non-destructive examination of structures while traversing the structure in all positions. The invention is able to conform to large range of irregularities of the climbing surface while maintaining contact between the track and adhering members and uniformly distributing the climbing loads on the adhering members giving the system a high payload to weight ratio. The invention is moves the inspection transducer over the surface while maintaining correct alignment of the tool relative to the surface. The invention allows an operator to perform an inspection on structures that require cleaning or other preparation prior to inspection. The invention allows an operator to perform an inspection remotely. | 05-10-2012 |
20120130538 | Method to Control a Robot Device and Robot Device - A method to control a robot device that includes at least one manipulator which is moveable in an operating space, at least one actuator which actuates the manipulator, a sensor arrangement having at least one position sensor to determine the actual position of the manipulator and a controller which controls the actuator. The manipulator moves along an actual trajectory by means of an external force provided by an operator. The actuator provides compensation forces onto the manipulator influencing the torques or forces exchanged between operator and manipulator. The controller includes a conservative force field module having a conservative force field. The controller provides control signals for the actuator which provides the compensation force based on the control signals. The control signals are based on the conservative force field and on the actual position of the manipulator. | 05-24-2012 |
20120150345 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROBOT GENERATION - A method is provided for the automatic generation of a robotic devices, where the method comprises the steps of receiving user input to determine a task specification for one or more tasks for the robotic device, determining a task list comprising one or more tasks based on the provided task specification, determining based on the task list provided, one or more mechanical components, one or more processing components, and logic components required to execute one or more tasks; and generating the logic components required to execute one or more tasks, and embedding the logic components onto a recordable medium associated with the robotic device. | 06-14-2012 |
20120158174 | METHOD TO GENERATE HUMANLIKE MOTION OF HUMANOID ROBOT - A method and apparatus to generate a humanlike motion of a humanoid robot which is capable of performing a humanlike breathing motion. For example, the method includes calculating target rotational angles of respective rotary joints to perform a basic motion according to a user command, calculating rotational angles of respective rotary joints to perform a breathing motion, and generating the breathing motion by adding up the target rotational angles of the respective rotary joints to perform the basic motion and the rotational angles to perform the breathing motion and providing the angles obtained thereby to respective rotary joints constituting joint units related to the breathing motion, thus providing intimacy and aesthetic stability to users. | 06-21-2012 |
20120165977 | Robotic Drive System Modularity - The subject disclosure is directed towards a robot device including a computational intelligence system that can be coupled to/decoupled from different interchangeable mobility mechanisms at different times. The robot may operate with its intelligence portion detached from the mobility portion, whereby the intelligence portion may be easily to interact therewith out lifting the (typically dirty) mobility mechanism. The robot may operate according to a coupled state, a decoupled state, or in a transition state when being moved for purposes of coupling or decoupling. | 06-28-2012 |
20120173018 | Mobile Human Interface Robot - A mobile human interface robot that includes a drive system, a controller in communication with the dive system, and an electronic display supported above the drive system and in communication with the controller. The controller includes a central processing unit, a general purpose graphics processing unit, and memory in electrical communication with the central processing unit and the general purpose graphics processing unit. Moreover, the controller has a display operating state and a driving operating state. The controller executes graphics computations on the general purpose graphics processing unit for displaying graphics on the electronic display during the display operating state; and the controller executes mobility computations on the general purpose graphics processing unit for issuing commands to the drive system during the driving operating state. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173019 | ROBOT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A robot and a control method thereof which execute grasp planning of hands of the robot separately from motion planning of arms of the robot so as to apply a result of the grasp planning of the hands of the robot to the motion planning of the arms of the robot, and thus more rapidly, naturally and stably grasp an object in a grasp manner suited to a desired working purpose and judge whether or not grasping is executable prior to the motion planning of the arms of the robot, thereby more stably grasping the object. | 07-05-2012 |
20120179293 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE AUTOMATED PRE-TREATMENT AND PROCESSING OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES - Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention allow for the automatic control and scheduling of a staining apparatus for biological samples on slides present within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the actions of a robot coupled to the staining apparatus, which performs some of the staining tasks on the individual slides in accordance with their respective protocols, may be prioritized and scheduled. In some embodiments, the scheduling may result in increasing or maximizing the throughput of slides. In some embodiments, robot scheduling ensures that the individual slides are processed substantially within the tolerances specified by their respective protocols. In some embodiments, the robot scheduler may respond to spontaneous user actions and adaptively schedule or re-schedule robot actions. | 07-12-2012 |
20120185087 | TWO-WHEEL TYPE THROWING ROBOT - The present invention relates to a two-wheel type robot provided with two driving wheels. Supporting legs that closely contact or separate from a body have sharp ends, wherein the sharp ends are formed with curved surfaces for minimizing frictional forces. A cover for securing a battery mounting space is integrally formed in the supporting legs for a supporting leg to pass a raised protrusion smoothly and not be caught on the raised protrusion in the process of passing the raised protrusion, thereby enabling the two-wheel type throwing robot to move stably. | 07-19-2012 |
20120191243 | ROBOT ARRANGEMENT, IN PARTICULAR IN A PAINTING BOOTH - A robot arrangement, for example for a painting booth, and exemplary methods associated with the same, are disclosed. An exemplary robot arrangement may comprise a displacement rail, a plurality of robots, such as painting robots or handling robots, which can be displaced along the displacement rail, and a plurality of energy supply chains. The energy supply chains may supply one of the robots each, and may be associated with said robot, and each of the energy supply chains may run along the displacement rail in a particular track. The energy supply chains which are associated with the robots on the same displacement rail may run in discrete tracks. | 07-26-2012 |
20120191244 | ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A robot control system and method includes plural actuators provided on a robot, plural controller modules, each of which controls at least one of the actuators and includes a program to perform a motion and an ID, an adjustment module to register a control right of each controller module over the at least one of the actuators and to perform at least one motion when a request for the at least one motion is made, and an abstraction layer module to judge whether or not a detected controller module is a controller module having the control right over the at least one of the actuators by confirming the ID of the controller module, and to drive the at least one of the actuators by controlling execution of the controller module upon judging that the detected controller module is the controller module having the control right. | 07-26-2012 |
20120197434 | ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A robot control system includes a signal transmission device and a robot. The signal transmission device has two signal transmission elements that substantially transmit a first signal along a first direction and a second signal along a second direction respectively. The first signal defines a first signal area, and the second signal defines a second signal area. The overlap portion of the first and second signals defines a confinement area. The robot includes a detecting module and a control module. The detecting module detects the confinement area by detecting the first signal and the second signal simultaneously. When the detecting module detects the confinement area, the control module controls the robot to change direction and then move for a distance. Besides, a robot control method applied to the robot control system is also disclosed. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197435 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE WALKING MOTION OF A MOBILE ROBOT, AND ROBOT IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD - A computer program and a system for controlling walking of a mobile robot, notably a humanoid robot moving on two legs. Conventionally, control was guided by driving a zero moment point. Such driving was performed within a fixed coordinate system connected to a progression surface and assumed knowledge of the characteristics of said surface and the creation of a provisional trajectory. Such driving encountered significant limitations due to the nature of the progression surfaces on which walking can effectively be controlled and an obligation to have a perfect knowledge of their geometry; and also in respect to the necessary computing power, and the appearance of the walk which bore little resemblance to an actual human walk. The invention overcomes such limitations by providing a walk which includes a pseudo-free or ballistic phase, an impulse phase imparted by the heel of the robot, and a landing phase. | 08-02-2012 |
20120209427 | MANIPULATOR WITH THREE DEGREES OF FREEDOM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - A manipulator with three degrees of freedom includes three actuators connected to a moving platform at angularly spaced apart positions that form vertices of a first regular triangle and connected to a base platform at angularly spaced apart positions that form vertices of a second regular triangle. A normal line through a centroid of the first regular triangle is aligned with a normal line through a centroid of the second regular triangle when the moving platform is at an initial position. A control method for the manipulator includes configuring the manipulator to compute respective lengths of the actuators based upon a desired roll angle, a desired pitch angle and a desired heave height, and to set the actuators to the respective lengths so that the moving platform moves to the desired roll angle, the desired pitch angle, and the desired heave height with respect to the base platform. | 08-16-2012 |
20120215348 | Submersible robotically operable vehicle system for infrastructure maintenance and inspection - A configurable robotic apparatus and system is disclosed that is remotely operable in difficult, hazardous, subterranean, or submerged environs. The apparatus merges diverse disciplines to effect inspecting, cleaning, treating, repairing or otherwise maintaining a wide variety of materials and conditions. Deployment environments include power, municipal water and wastewater plants, surface and submerged infrastructures (pipes, lines, conduits), and like industrial applications. Extensible and articulating modules, configurable through standardized and interchangeable connectors, provide unique flexibility, scalability and versatility to accommodate a wide range of shapes, surfaces, and obstacles. In-module intelligence and instrumentation eliminates the need for constant manual control through autonomous operation capable of simultaneous optimization and synchronization of multiple work processes, but manual override and remote control is provided to overcome unanticipated limitations. Benefits include improved efficiency, cost, and safety over prior art. High-performance, one-pass operation reduces facility downtime while incorporating environmentally responsible debris recovery. | 08-23-2012 |
20120215349 | AUTOMATED APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ASSEMBLIES OF BUILDING COMPONENTS - A device for constructing an assembly of building components includes an articulating arm unit and a gripper/nailer mounted on an end of the articulating arm unit. The gripper/nailer includes a gripping unit for grasping building components and positioning them in a predetermined arrangement and a nailing unit for inserting a fastener to secure the building components together. | 08-23-2012 |
20120232694 | Method For Creating A Robot Model And Industrial Robot - The invention relates to a method for creating a robot model ( | 09-13-2012 |
20120239190 | Robot and Method For Operating A Robot - The invention relates to a method for operating a robot (R), and a correspondingly set-up robot. The robot (R) has a robot arm (M) having a plurality of members ( | 09-20-2012 |
20120253511 | ROBOT ARM APPARATUS - A robot arm apparatus includes an arm mechanism including a base member and a link pivotally connected to the base member for pivotal motion in a horizontal plane through a rotational shaft. The link holds a regular circular transport object at its distal end. The apparatus also includes an edge detector, provided on the base member, that detects two edges of the regular circular transport object as the link pivotally rotates with respect to the base member, a pivotal angle detector that detects a pivotal angle of the link with respect to the base member, and a center position calculator that calculates a center position of the regular circular transport object with respect to the link. The calculation is based on two pivotal angles detected by the pivotal angle detector when the edge detector detects the two edges of the regular circular transport object. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253512 | ROBOT CONTROLLER AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot controller includes an input unit that receives operation instruction information, a database that stores grasp pattern information, and a processing unit that performs control processing based on information from the input unit and information from the database, and the input unit receives first to N-th operation instructions as operation instruction information, the processing unit loads i-th grasp pattern information that enables execution of the i-th operation instruction and j-th grasp pattern information that enables execution of the j-th operation instruction as the next operation instruction to the i-th operation instruction from the database, and performs control processing based on the i-th grasp pattern information and the j-th grasp pattern information. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253513 | SNAKING ROBOTIC ARM WITH MOVABLE SHAPERS - Presented is a method and apparatus comprising one or more robotic members which are curvaceous or snake-like; having movable shapers through which may pass an articulable column having successive joints formed of alternating ball and socket members. The shapers can be directed up and down the articulable column, to create virtually any radius of curvature, in any direction. The robotic member may also include discrete microelectronic mechanical devices (MEMS) shaper's with embedded addressable controllers. Thus the device, with computerized control is capable of negotiating a tortuous path to access the site of a given operation and to retreat along the same path, without injury to the body in which the arm is directed. Once at the work site, the articulating columns, or parts of them, may be put in compression, causing them to become rigid. | 10-04-2012 |
20120259460 | Hopping robot - A robot includes a chassis, a motive subsystem configured to maneuver the chassis, a hopping actuator attached to the chassis and configured to launch the robot, and at least one leg pivotable with respect to the chassis to pitch the chassis upward at a selected launch trajectory angle. A control subsystem automatically actuates and controls the motive subsystem when the robot is airborne and uses the rotational momentum of the motive subsystem to control the attitude of the robot chassis in flight. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259461 | Hexapod Robot Device - A hexapod robot device includes a main body and six legs coupled thereto. Each leg has a first connecting rod pivotally connected with the main body, a first driver electrically pivotally connected between the main body and the first connecting rod, with the first driver controllably driving the first connecting rod to move forward and backward along a longitudinal direction, a second connecting rod pivotally connected with the first connecting rod, and a second driver pivotally connected between the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, with the second driver controllably driving the second connecting rod to move upward and downward along a vertical direction. The second connecting rod further has an end to engage with the ground. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259462 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An information processing apparatus for performing recognition processing by a recognizer for a position and orientation of a work subject to undergo work by a working unit of a robot arm, comprising: an obtaining unit adapted to obtain, for each of a plurality of positions and orientations of the work subject, a position and orientation of the working unit in which the working unit can perform the work; and a restriction unit adapted to restrict a position and orientation of the work subject used in the recognition processing by the recognizer to a position and orientation of the work subject corresponding to the position and orientation of the working unit that have been obtained by the obtaining unit. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259463 | ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE - Disclosed is a robot control device including a means for determining control inputs classified by state quantity for achieving respective target values of a plurality of types of state quantities of a robot, and a means for determining a synthesized control input by synthesizing control inputs classified by frequency region while determining control inputs classified by frequency region in a plurality of respective frequency regions, according to control inputs classified by state quantity. The means determines a control input classified by frequency region corresponding to any one of the frequency regions by synthesizing the plurality of control inputs classified by state quantity in a mutually non-interfering manner. The operation of the robot is controlled so that, under a variety of operating conditions of the robot, a plurality of types of state quantities are efficiently controlled to target values which correspond to the respective types of state quantities. | 10-11-2012 |
20120265338 | Method And Apparatus For Driving A Robot Arrangement - An invention-based method for controlling a robot arrangement having at least one robot (R) and comprising the following steps: | 10-18-2012 |
20120265339 | DEVICE FOR MANIPULATING AT LEAST ONE SPECIMEN SLIDE - A device for manipulating at least one specimen slide includes a first sensor unit operable to sense a first rotation of a first component of the device about at least one first axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. A second sensor unit is operable to sense a second rotation of a second component of the device about the at least one first axis of the coordinate system, the coordinate system being independent of a position of the first component and of a position of the second component. A positioning unit is operable to position the second component relative to the first component. | 10-18-2012 |
20120271456 | Cooperative Control Device - Provided is a cooperative control device capable of advanced cooperative control. The cooperative control device for cooperatively controlling a plurality of control objects is provided with a pair of output control systems, a pair of crossing circuits, and transfer function units. The pair of output control systems is provided for a pair of control objects having respective control circuits. The pair of crossing circuits is provided from a first input side to a second output side and from a second input side to a first output side of the control circuit of the output control systems. The transfer function unit is provided in each pair of crossing circuits. | 10-25-2012 |
20120277907 | TRAJECTORY PLANNING METHOD, TRAJECTORY PLANNING SYSTEM AND TRAJECTORY PLANNING AND CONTROL SYSTEM - A trajectory planning method according to the present invention is one for obtaining a trajectory for controlling a state of an object toward a goal state by a trajectory planning system. The method includes the steps of dividing, by a cell generating section for dividing a state space of the object into cells, the state space into cells in such a way that approximation error due to discretization is minimized for a predetermined number of cells; generating, by a search tree generating section, a search tree which corresponds to state transition of the object in such a way that each cell does not contain more than one of nodes of branches of the search tree; and determining, by a trajectory generating section, a path from the current state to the goal state of the object using the search tree. | 11-01-2012 |
20120277908 | SYNERGETIC ROBOTIC SYSTEM - A robotic system is disclosed that includes a mobile device, a docking station, and a software application hosted in the mobile device. The the mobile device is physically lodgeable in the docking station. The software application is hosted in the mobile device. The mobile device and the docking station enter a coordinated action mode via the software application when the mobile device is physically lodged in the docking station. And the software application is configurable with different profiles. | 11-01-2012 |
20120283872 | System for Stabilization Control of Mobile Robotics - A system comprises a platform being configured for locomotion in a plurality of directions over a surface. A robotic unit is configured for dexterous manipulation comprising at least lifting of objects. The robotic unit is joined to the platform. At least one extender unit is joined to the platform and is configured for controlled extension beyond the platform to contact the surface to stabilize the system at least during the manipulation by the robotic unit. At least one controlling unit is configured to be operable for at least determining a center of gravity and a zero moment point for the system and for at least controlling an extension of the extender unit. | 11-08-2012 |
20120310411 | ROBOT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Provided is a robot apparatus including actuators for driving joint shafts and measuring at least one of a joint angle and a joint angle speed of each of the joint shafts, and a central control part for controlling each of the actuators, wherein the central control part performs a periodic communication at predetermined control periods and the periodic communication includes transmitting a desired control value from the central control part to each of the actuators and transmitting a measured value from each of the actuators to the central control part, the central control part stops the periodic communication in response to an occurrence of an actuator that has failed to receive the measured value during a given period of time, and each of the actuators performs a safety stop in response to an event where the actuator has not received the desired control value during a given period of time. | 12-06-2012 |
20120316674 | PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR, ROBOT HAND, AND ROBOT - A piezoelectric actuator includes a vibrating body including a piezoelectric device; a driving circuit that supplies a driving signal to the piezoelectric device; a phase difference detecting circuit that detects a phase difference between the driving signal and a detection signal detected based on vibration of the vibrating body; and a frequency controller that controls the frequency and power of the driving signal, wherein the frequency controller sets the power to an upper limit voltage value when the frequency is changed so that the phase difference falls within a predetermined range and sets the voltage to a lower limit voltage value smaller than the upper limit voltage value when the phase difference is outside the predetermined range. | 12-13-2012 |
20120316675 | PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR, ROBOT HAND, AND ROBOT - A piezoelectric actuator includes a frequency controller that controls the frequency and power of the driving signal, wherein when the phase difference falls within a predetermined range, the control unit stores the value of the frequency of the driving signal as a first frequency memory value, sets a voltage to a upper limit voltage value, and performs control of adjusting the frequency of the driving signal so that the phase difference is maintained to be within a predetermined range, and when the frequency of the driving signal is changed from the first frequency memory value by an amount exceeding a first value determined in advance, the control unit stores the value of the frequency of the driving signal as a second frequency memory value and sets the voltage to a lower limit voltage value lower than the upper limit voltage value. | 12-13-2012 |
20130006417 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A communication system for communicating over high-latency, low bandwidth networks includes a communications processor configured to receive a collection of data from a local system, and a transceiver in communication with the communications processor. The transceiver is configured to transmit and receive data over a network according to a plurality of communication parameters. The communications processor is configured to divide the collection of data into a plurality of data streams; assign a priority level to each of the respective data streams, where the priority level reflects the criticality of the respective data stream; and modify a communication parameter of at least one of the plurality of data streams according to the priority of the at least one data stream. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006418 | Robot with Docking Station, System and Method - A robot, a station, system and method therefor is described. The docking system includes, among other items, a robot and a docking station. The robot may have a power storage unit configured to supply power for the robot, a docking terminal group having a first docking terminal and a second docking terminal, and a robot control unit configured to control working state of the robot. The docking station includes a conductive terminal group comprising at least a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal. The conductive terminal group is configured to be electrically connected to the docking terminal group respectively. The robot control unit comprises a signal transmission module configured to be electrically connected to the first docking terminal and send a predetermined detection signal, a signal receiving module configured to be electrically connected to the second docking terminal. When the signal receiving module receives a predetermined feedback signal corresponding to the predetermined detection signal, the robot control unit verifies that the docking of the docking terminal group of the robot with the conductive terminal group of the docking station has succeeded. The robot can reliably dock to the docking station without human intervention, which brings extreme convenience to production and life. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006419 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NAVIGATING A ROBOTIC GARDEN TOOL - The present invention relates to a method ( | 01-03-2013 |
20130018507 | Control System Of A RobotAANM Haag; MichaelAACI KarlsruheAACO DEAAGP Haag; Michael Karlsruhe DEAANM Munz; HeinrichAACI BergatreuteAACO DEAAGP Munz; Heinrich Bergatreute DEAANM Jacob; DirkAACI MarktoberdorfAACO DEAAGP Jacob; Dirk Marktoberdorf DEAANM Kluger; Hans-PeterAACI StadtbergenAACO DEAAGP Kluger; Hans-Peter Stadtbergen DE - An invention-based control system for at least one robot comprises a, especially symmetric, multi-core architecture with a first virtual machine (V | 01-17-2013 |
20130024024 | MEDICAL MANIPULATOR SYSTEM - A medical manipulator system in which an operator controls operation of a device near a patient, the medical manipulator system includes a single or a plurality of manipulators, a control unit, and a forcible shutdown instruction unit. The single or a plurality of manipulators are disposed near the patient and configured to hold a medical tool. The control unit is configured to control operation of the manipulator. The forcible shutdown instruction unit is disposed near the patient and configured to instruct the control unit to forcibly shut down operation of the manipulator. | 01-24-2013 |
20130030567 | Controls method for automated door seal application - An assembly and method for automated installation of a flexible seal to a periphery of a component. The method may include positioning the periphery of the component adjacent to a seal feed assembly; employing a motor to move the seal toward the periphery of the component until a predetermined torque on the motor is reached; stopping movement of the motor when the predetermined torque is reached; moving the component relative to the seal feed assembly; and, as the component is moved relative to the seal feed assembly, automatically maintaining the predetermined torque in the motor by moving the seal toward the periphery of the component. The component may be a vehicle door to which a seal is installed. | 01-31-2013 |
20130030568 | ROBOT SYSTEM CONTROL METHOD AND A DEVICE THEREFOR - The present invention discloses a method of controlling a robot system and an apparatus thereof. The method of controlling a robot system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can include: initializing the master controller by use of a boot loader equipped in the robot system; executing a runtime by loading a runtime execution code stored in a storage space of the master controller; and loading and executing an application program stored in the storage space of the master controller. With an embodiment of the present invention, it becomes possible to manage the application program more efficiently for realizing the functions of the robot system. | 01-31-2013 |
20130030569 | CONTROL APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR ROBOT ARM, ROBOT, CONTROL PROGRAM FOR ROBOT ARM, AND INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT - There is provided a control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit, which can improve robot arm operability upon performing tasks such as cooperative conveyance and direct teaching. The grip portion separated from the end effector attached to the robot arm is provided. When a person grips and shifts the grip portion, a tracking control unit controls so that the robot arm follows the shift. A fixing switch unit switches between a fixing state where, upon switching to “playback mode”, a fixing portion is located at a fixed position to fix the end effector and the grip portion to maintain a gap distance therebetween and a relatively shiftable state where, upon switching to “teaching mode”, the fixing portion is located at an accommodated position to relatively shift them from each other without maintaining the gap distance. | 01-31-2013 |
20130035789 | ROBOT SIMULATION DEVICE FOR SIMULATING BEHAVIOR OF UMBILICAL MEMBER - An umbilical member arrangement unit for an umbilical member, having a function for automatically adjusting each coefficient used in the physical simulation model, corresponding to the actual behavior of the umbilical member. A simulation device has a three-dimensional model generating part configured to generate a three-dimensional model of a umbilical member as a stereo structure constituted by a plurality of mass points and a spring connecting the mass points to each other; a simulating part configured to carry out a physical simulation; a storing part configured to previously store an actual static behavior, an actual dynamic behavior, and an actual dynamic behavior of the umbilical member when colliding with a rigid body; and an automatically adjusting part configured to carry out automatic adjustment so that a result of the physical simulation coincides with the actual behaviors stored in the storing part. | 02-07-2013 |
20130041502 | FAST GRASP CONTACT COMPUTATION FOR A SERIAL ROBOT - A system includes a controller and a serial robot having links that are interconnected by a joint, wherein the robot can grasp a three-dimensional (3D) object in response to a commanded grasp pose. The controller receives input information, including the commanded grasp pose, a first set of information describing the kinematics of the robot, and a second set of information describing the position of the object to be grasped. The controller also calculates, in a two-dimensional (2D) plane, a set of contact points between the serial robot and a surface of the 3D object needed for the serial robot to achieve the commanded grasp pose. A required joint angle is then calculated in the 2D plane between the pair of links using the set of contact points. A control action is then executed with respect to the motion of the serial robot using the required joint angle. | 02-14-2013 |
20130041503 | METHOD FOR REMOVING INJECTION-MOLDED ITEMS - Method for removing injection-molded items from an injection-molding machine via a robot and device for performing method. The injection-molding machine and the robot each having a separate drive, and each drive is acted on by a separate open- and closed-loop control unit that is separately programmable. At least the open- and closed-loop control unit of the robot contains a computing element, and the injection-molding machine is equipped with at least one signaling device for detecting a position of the mold. The method includes applying a signal of the signaling device to the open- and closed-loop control unit of the robot, recalculating a motion sequence of the robot based of the open- and closed-loop control unit after each removal cycle, and for each next removal cycle, moving the robot from a start position by a timer at a recalculated start time. | 02-14-2013 |
20130054021 | ROBOTIC CONTROLLER THAT REALIZES HUMAN-LIKE RESPONSES TO UNEXPECTED DISTURBANCES - A robotic structure includes a component that moves from a first position to a second position. Further, the robotic apparatus includes a robotic controller that (i) receives an input quantity and an output quantity that are computed from human motion data based on a human musculoskeletal model, (ii) computes at least one parameter based on the input quantity and the output quantity, and (iii) outputs the output quantity to the component upon an input of robotic motion data from the component. | 02-28-2013 |
20130054022 | AUTONOMOUS CLEANER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An autonomous cleaner has an enhanced structure capable of conducting an efficient cleaning task according to the material quality or the condition of the floor surface of a cleaning space. | 02-28-2013 |
20130054023 | Asynchronous Data Stream Framework - An architecture comprising a hardware layer, a data collection layer and an execution layer lays the foundation for a behavioral layer that can asynchronously access abstracted data. A plurality of data sensors asynchronously collect data which is thereafter abstracted so as to be usable by one or more behavioral modules simultaneously. Each of the behaviors can be asynchronously executed as well as dynamically modified based on the collected abstracted data. Moreover, the behavior modules themselves are structured in a hierarchical manner among one or more layers such that outputs of behavior module associated with a lower layer may be the input to a behavior module of a higher letter. Conflicts between outputs of behavior modules are arbitrated and analyzed so as to conform with an overall mission objective. | 02-28-2013 |
20130054024 | Universal Payload Abstraction - Robotic payloads are abstracted to provide a plug-and-play system in which mission specific capabilities are easily configured on a wide variety of robotic platforms. A robotic payload architecture is presented in which robotic functionalities are bifurcated into intrinsic capabilities, managed by a core module, and mission specific capabilities, addressed by mission payload module(s). By doing so the core modules manages a particular robotic platform's intrinsic functionalities while mission specific tasks are left to mission payloads. A mission specific robotic configuration can be compiled by adding multiple mission payload modules to the same platform managed by the same core module. In each case the mission payload module communicates with the core module for information about the platform on which it is being associated. | 02-28-2013 |
20130060378 | TEST INSTALLATION FOR TESTING CONTROL PROGRAMS FOR A ROBOT INSTALLATION - The invention relates to a test installation for testing control programs for a real robot installation, particularly for a lacquering installation, having a plurality of robot controllers ( | 03-07-2013 |
20130060379 | ROBOT CLEANER, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed are a robot cleaner, and a system and method for remotely controlling the robot cleaner. Since the robot cleaner is accessed to a terminal through a network, the robot cleaner can be controlled in more various manners. A situation inside a house can be real-time checked from the outside, and the satiation can be rapidly handled according to a state of the robot cleaner. Since the terminal and the robot cleaner are connected to each other through a network, a voice call function and an interphone function can be implemented. Furthermore, the robot cleaner can perform automatic cleaning, manual cleaning, and reservation cleaning in an autonomous manner, or in a remote-controlled manner. | 03-07-2013 |
20130066467 | SERVICE SCENARIO EDITING APPARATUS FOR AN INTELLIGENT ROBOT, METHOD FOR SAME, INTELLIGENT ROBOT APPARATUS AND SERVICE-PROVIDING METHOD FOR AN INTELLIGENT ROBOT - The present invention relates to a service scenario editing apparatus for an intelligent robot, to a method for same, to an intelligent robot apparatus and to a service providing method for an intelligent robot. More particularly, the service scenario editing apparatus comprises: an event editing unit which enables an inputted event and a service providing action to correspond to one another in consideration of a variety of environments, users, states or the like, in order to set states, and interconnects the set states with each other such that the event being inputted to the intelligent robot is edited to enable the intelligent robot to provide a service in accordance with the scenario established by a user, an action editing unit which edits an action of the intelligent robot for providing a service; a state editing unit which interconnects the event edited by the event editing unit and the action edited by the action editing unit; and a scenario editing unit which interconnects the states edited by the state editing unit to edit a service scenario for an intelligent robot apparatus. | 03-14-2013 |
20130073079 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS, ROBOT SYSTEM, AND ROBOT CONTROL METHOD - A robot control apparatus includes a scenario acquiring unit acquiring a scenario in which a plurality of instructions, each occupying at least one entity that performs an operation, the at least one entity of a plurality of resources containing a plurality of entities that perform operations as different resources, are arranged in a serial execution order; an instruction queue generating unit generating an instruction queue for each resource, the instruction queue in which the instructions which have not been executed yet and occupy the resource are arranged in the execution order described in the scenario; and an instruction executing unit making a robot execute the plurality of instructions in parallel, the instructions each being first in the execution order in the instruction queues corresponding to all of the resources to be occupied. | 03-21-2013 |
20130085601 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system according to embodiments includes a robot and a control unit. The robot includes a plurality of movable units that operate in a predetermined direction and links connected to the movable units, and the control unit controls an operation of the movable units of the robot. Moreover, the robot system transfers a detachable member mounted on a predetermined movable unit by causing a movable unit other than the predetermined movable unit to operate in a state where the predetermined movable unit is stopped. | 04-04-2013 |
20130085602 | Office Robot System - An office robot system aiming at reducing both capital expenditure and operational expenditure in deploying various office robots to perform office works and functionalities is disclosed. The office robot system uses a distributed processing computing cluster, centralizing the heavy-duty robot system software computation and robot management function on the computing cluster, enables various office robots to be light-duty mobile computing devices, hence minimizing their computation and memory requirements, and enables the communications between the office robots and the computing cluster via proper corporate networking infrastructure. The office robot system facilitates deployment of heterogeneous robots with various computation capabilities. The robot system software stack is organized into layers of functional modules. Based on the computation load capable on a robot and the networking infrastructure capacity, the robot and the computing cluster divide the computation load. | 04-04-2013 |
20130090760 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING ROBOT COMPONENTS - An apparatus manages robot components in a robot. The apparatus includes a component monitoring unit to monitor a state of the robot components and a breakdown decision unit to judge whether or not any robot components are broken down based on the monitoring results and generate breakdown information corresponding to the breakdown decision results. The apparatus further includes a recovery policy management unit to choose a recovery policy model necessary to recover the breakdown using the breakdown information and a breakdown recovery unit configured to recover the broken robot component based on the chosen recovery policy model. | 04-11-2013 |
20130090761 | MOTOR CONTROL DEVICE, ROBOT HAND, ROBOT, AND MOTOR CONTROL METHOD - A motor control device controls a motor using an angle data signal and a rotational speed signal output from a rotation detector detecting a rotation state of a rotating shaft of the motor. The motor control device includes a speed control unit that outputs a torque instruction signal corresponding to a difference between the rotational speed of the rotating shaft and a speed instruction using the speed instruction of the rotating shaft and the rotational speed signal, a limit value setting unit that sets a torque limit value indicating the maximum value of the torque applied to the rotating shaft, and a torque limit control unit that limits the torque of the rotating shaft driven by the torque instruction signal to the torque limit value or less. | 04-11-2013 |
20130096717 | ROBOT CLEANER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same, capable of controlling a travelling or cleaning pattern of a robot cleaner in accordance with extension and retraction operations of an auxiliary cleaning tool to perform an efficient cleaning operation. The robot cleaner includes a plurality of auxiliary cleaning units mounted to a bottom of the robot cleaner such that the auxiliary cleaning units are extendable and retractable, an obstacle sensor to sense an obstacle in a cleaning region of the robot cleaner, and a control unit to extend the auxiliary cleaning units while travelling in a wall tracing manner along the periphery of the cleaning region, and to retract the auxiliary cleaning units while the robot cleaner travels in an inner portion of the cleaning region when traveling of the periphery of the cleaning region is finished. | 04-18-2013 |
20130103192 | ROBOT CONTROL METHOD - In a robot control method, target values of a work point are provided in position and orientation by a robot program, programmatically dependent on which a tool reference point of a manipulator is to be adjusted via automatic movement of axles of the manipulator by a robot controller connected with the manipulator. Based on position values (provided by the robot program) of a planned position and orientation of a robot base adjustable via an auxiliary axle, which position and orientation are to be occupied by the robot base, automatically changing the position values such that the actual position of the robot base that is to be occupied relative to the planned position to be occupied converges on a predetermined reference point, in particular the work point or the tool reference point. The robot controller automatically moves the auxiliary axle to cause the robot base to occupy the position and orientation that correspond to the changed position values. | 04-25-2013 |
20130103193 | ROBOTIC SERVICING MULTIFUNCTIONAL TOOL - Herein is disclosed a multifunctional tool with replaceable tool tips. The disclosed multifunctional tool may be used as an end-effector on a robotic arm in space. Each tool tip, when in the tool holder, is driven by a common motor. The same motor can also be used to control the orientation of the tool tip about an axis. The tool tips are replaceable in the tool holder by simple and robust means, resulting in a lighter and cheaper multifunctional tool. The tool tips can be variously adapted to perform a variety of functions, including cutting, grasping, drilling, driving, etc. Since the tool may be driven by only one actuator, and the single actuator may be used to drive both the tool and rotation of the tool, mass can be saved. Use of such a multifunctional tool also reduces overall system power requirements, and system complexity. | 04-25-2013 |
20130103194 | Robot Confinement - A method of confining a robot in a work space includes providing a portable barrier signal transmitting device including a primary emitter emitting a confinement beam primarily along an axis defining a directed barrier. A mobile robot including a detector, a drive motor and a control unit controlling the drive motor is caused to avoid the directed barrier upon detection by the detector on the robot. The detector on the robot has an omnidirectional field of view parallel to the plane of movement of the robot. The detector receives confinement light beams substantially in a plane at the height of the field of view while blocking or rejecting confinement light beams substantially above or substantially below the plane at the height of the field of view. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110287 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A ROBOTIC STORAGE SYSTEM ORGANIZED BY HEAT VALUE OF STORAGE MEDIA | 05-02-2013 |
20130116819 | ESTIMATING APPARATUS, ESTIMATING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PRODUCT - An estimating apparatus includes a processor configured to update a state of a first particle group indicating a state of a mobile body, from a current state to a next state through a simulation that is based on a state equation of the mobile body in a space using a particle filter; measure at each update, a distance between the mobile body and an object in the space; generate at each update, a second particle group indicating a state of a specific area in the space; calculate a level of likelihood for each particle of the first particle group and for each particle of the second particle group, based on the measured distance, the updated first particle group, and the generated second particle group; and identify a position of the mobile body in the space, based on the level of likelihood calculated for each particle. | 05-09-2013 |
20130123979 | BIOLOGICAL REACTION APPARATUS WITH DRAINING MECHANISM - A biological reaction apparatus for receiving at least one substrate having a sample located in a sample region, and a separate cover, such that a reaction chamber is formed between the cover and substrate over the sample region, wherein the apparatus includes a locating means to locate the substrate; a cover locating means for locating and moving the cover with respect to the substrate; a fluid dispensing means for dispensing fluid into the reaction chamber; and a draining mechanism; wherein the draining mechanism includes wicking means. | 05-16-2013 |
20130131864 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATED WORK CELL - The invention relates to a control method applied to an automated work cell which includes at least one robot arm ( | 05-23-2013 |
20130138244 | ROBOT APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A robot apparatus includes a plurality of arm sections; a grasping-easiness calculation section configured to calculate an index value of grasping easiness quantitatively evaluating easiness of assuming a grasping posture for grasping an object or assuming a transition posture leading to the grasping posture for each of the plurality of arm sections; and an arm-section selection section configured to select an arm section to be used for actually grasping the object on the basis of the index value of the grasping easiness calculated for each of the arm sections. | 05-30-2013 |
20130144436 | Manipulator Arrangement And Method For Operating The Manipulator Arrangement - A manipulator configuration according to the invention comprises at least one manipulator and at least one control device and features a mechanical energy storage device, which is configured for storing mechanical energy of at least one manipulator. | 06-06-2013 |
20130151007 | METHOD FOR THE SELECTION OF PHYSICAL OBJECTS IN A ROBOT SYSTEM - A method in which an apparatus receives first sensor data from first sensors and determines a target position from the data, the target position may be a position in space or an orientation of a gripper in a robot arm First instructions are issued to the robot arm or the gripper in order to move a gripper to the target position. Force feedback sensor data is received from force feedback sensors associated with either the robot arm or the gripper or from the first sensors. A failure in carrying out the first instructions is determined Second sensor data is received from the at least one first sensor. Successful gripping of an object is determined from the second sensor data. | 06-13-2013 |
20130166068 | NUMERICAL CONTROL PROGRAM EXECUTION BY ROBOT - A system and a method for converting a machine tool program in NC programming language to permit a robot controller to execute the program. A robot controller converts the NC program into robot language according to a conversion configuration table, and uses the converted language as pseudo program data internally stored in a data memory within the robot controller. Each M-code (Miscellaneous code) in the NC program is executed as a sub-program call using the robot language. The content of the sub-programs can be freely defined and programmed by the user and, therefore, can be customized for the specific application. | 06-27-2013 |
20130173054 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING BALANCE OF WALKING ROBOT - Disclosed herein a method of controlling the balance of a walking robot. In the method, a location and an acceleration of a center of gravity of the walking robot are detected in a three-dimensional (3D) x, y, z coordinate system. A location of a Zero Moment Point (ZMP) on an xy plane is detected using the location of the center of gravity and the acceleration of the center of gravity in x- and y-axis directions. Walking of the walking robot is controlled so that the ZMP is located inside a stable area including a bottom of a foot of the walking robot on the xy plane. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173055 | ROBOT HAND AND HUMANOID ROBOT HAVING THE SAME - Disclosed herein is a control method of a robot hand including recognizing a pre-posture of user's fingers using a master device, changing the shape of the robot hand according to the recognized pre-posture, recognizing a gripping motion of the user's fingers using the master device, and executing a gripping motion of the robot hand according to a gripping posture corresponding to the recognized pre-posture. | 07-04-2013 |
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 |
20130184861 | Humanoid Robot that can Dynamically Walk with Limited Available Footholds in the Presence of Disturbances - A control system for a bipedal humanoid robot that utilizes certain fundamental characteristics of bipedal motion to provide a robust and relatively simple balancing and walking mechanism. The system primarily utilizes the concept of “capturability,” which is defined as the ability of the robot to come to a stop without falling by taking N or fewer steps. This ability is considered crucial to legged locomotion and is a useful, yet not overly restrictive criterion for stability. In the preferred embodiment, the bipedal robot is maintained in a 1-step capturable state. This means that future step-locating and driving decisions are made so that the robot may always be brought to a balanced halt with the taking of one step. Other embodiments maintain the bipedal robot in an N-step capturable state, in which the robot may always brought to a balanced halt by taking N or fewer steps. | 07-18-2013 |
20130184862 | TRANSFER SYSTEM - A transfer system according to an embodiment includes a robot and a determination unit. The robot includes robot hands that hold a workpiece in a thin plate shape and that are located at different heights. The determination unit determines the robot hands that hold the workpiece based on a combination of temperature of the workpiece to be held by each of the robot hands. | 07-18-2013 |
20130184863 | REMOTE CONTROLLED ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY - An actuator main body ( | 07-18-2013 |
20130190923 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes: a robot including a hand configured to hold a thin plate-shaped workpiece and an arm configured to move the hand; and a robot controller configured to control the robot. The robot controller controls the robot to perform a transfer of the workpiece at a predetermined workpiece transfer position in such a way that the hand is moved in a horizontal direction while being moved in a vertical direction after the hand has reached the workpiece transfer position. | 07-25-2013 |
20130190924 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system according to the embodiments includes a robot that includes a hand including a gripping mechanism that grips a thin plate-shaped work and an arm that moves the hand, and a robot control apparatus that controls the robot. The robot control apparatus, when causing the robot to transfer the work at a predetermined work transfer position by controlling the robot, performs a presence/absence confirmation of the work by operating the gripping mechanism while causing the hand to retract after the hand reaches the work transfer position. | 07-25-2013 |
20130190925 | ROBOT, ROBOT HAND, AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING HOLDING POSITION OF ROBOT HAND - A robot includes a robot hand, an arm unit, and a controller. The robot hand includes a movable portion. To the arm unit, the robot hand is mounted. The controller is configured to control the arm unit to move the movable portion of the robot hand so as to adjust a holding position of the robot hand relative to a to-be-held object. | 07-25-2013 |
20130211586 | Apparatus and Method for Controlling a Data-Based Biped - The invention relates to controlling a biped. In the biped control, target pose information for tracking control is provided by an animation engine, and/or is generated by modulating the reference pose information acquired from video capture data. In modulating such reference pose information, the current pose information can be fed back and used. | 08-15-2013 |
20130218331 | ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM, AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot control device of a vertical articulated robot having seven axes and an offset structure includes: a storage unit which stores a condition of a status of the vertical articulated robot including a position of an elbow in the vertical articulated robot and control information for controlling the vertical articulated robot such that the condition is satisfied to match each other; an input unit to which the condition of the status of the vertical articulated robot including the position of the elbow is input; and a robot control unit which controls the vertical articulated robot such that the input condition is satisfied on the basis of the control information stored in the storage unit to match the same condition as the condition input to the input unit. | 08-22-2013 |
20130218332 | Method And Apparatus For Implementing A Manipulator Process - A method for executing a manipulator process with at least two manipulator poses with a manipulator, in particular a robot, wherein the manipulator comprises at least one drive means having a motor and a brake, comprising the steps of:
| 08-22-2013 |
20130218333 | CURRENT ALTERNATING ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ELECTRIC BUS - The system includes a robot body and a main robot control platform. The robot body includes a mechanical part and an electrical control part. The mechanical part includes a horizontal moving unit, an objective carrying platform unit and a bearing unit which are arranged in X, Y and Z cartesian coordinate directions. The objective carrying platform unit includes an objective carrying platform and a battery drive mechanism arranged on the objective carrying platform. A battery pushing mechanism is arranged on the battery drive mechanism. The electrical control part includes a data collection device connected with a main control computer system, a power drive mechanism, an I/O model and a wireless communication model I. The wireless communication model I, the wireless communication model II of a control backend and the wireless communication model III in the remote control device wirelessly communicate with each other. | 08-22-2013 |
20130218334 | Control Of A Robot - In addition to an automatic operating mode (“AUTOMATIC”), in which protective monitoring (1) is carried out, and a set-up operating mode (“SET-UP”), in which manual control input (3, 6) is provided, a method according to the invention for controlling a robot comprises a remote access operating mode (“REMOTE ACCESS”) in which the protective monitoring (1) is carried out and manual control input (3, 5, 7) is provided | 08-22-2013 |
20130226340 | Mobile Robot - The invention relates to a mobile robot, exhibiting
| 08-29-2013 |
20130226341 | ROBOT ARRANGEMENT - A robot arrangement has a movable, programmable robot ( | 08-29-2013 |
20130226342 | Interchangeable Modular Robotic Unit - A modular, mobile, robotic unit having an octagon frame with a removable top and a bottom. The frame is of a substantial diameter to hold various attachments. Centered on the faces of the sides of the frame are utility augment ports capable of equipping utility augments. A magnetic fastener strip is located between a plurality of utility augment port shields and a magnet. The frame has an inner compartment housing a plurality of electronics and a plurality of components. The frame has a main compartment crib enclosure, a power supply crib enclosure located below the main compartment crib enclosure, and a waterproof crib enclosure coupled to a platform on the top of the frame. Ultrasonic collision detection sensors are attached to the sides of the frame. Mobility augmentation ports are coupled onto the top and bottom of the frame to hold mobility augments for attaching various transportation methods. | 08-29-2013 |
20130231777 | METHODS FOR USING ROBOTICS IN MINING AND POST-MINING PROCESSING - The present invention is directed to the use and application of robotics in mining and post-mining applications, including smelting and processes associated with electrodeposition, electrorefining, cleaning, and disposal. In addition, the application of robotics includes functions associated with maintenance and operation of equipment used in mining operations. | 09-05-2013 |
20130231778 | Method and Means for Controlling a Robot - The present invention relates to a user friendly method for programming a robot, where the method comprises placing the robot at a given position P | 09-05-2013 |
20130238121 | BANKING AUTOMATION USING AUTONOMOUS ROBOT - A banking automation system comprising a robot for robotically assisting a plurality of individuals in retrieval and storage of goods deposited in a bank, wherein during said retrieval and storage of goods by the robot: (a) each of the plurality of the individuals maintains privacy by being placed in a private location, (b) the plurality of the individuals are able to retrieve and store goods simultaneously, and (c) identification of each of the plurality of the individuals is verified biometrically. | 09-12-2013 |
20130238122 | ROBOT CYCLIC LOCOMOTION USING A DYNAMIC OBJECT - Techniques are disclosed for optimizing and maintaining cyclic biped locomotion of a robot on an object. The approach includes simulating trajectories of the robot in contact with the object. During each trajectory, the robot maintains balance on the object, while using the object for locomotion. The approach further includes determining, based on the simulated trajectories, an initial state of a cyclic gait of the robot such that the simulated trajectory of the robot starting from the initial state substantially returns to the initial state at an end of one cycle of the cyclic gait. In addition, the approach includes sending joint angles and joint velocities of the initial state to a set of joint controllers of the robot to cause a leg of the robot to achieve the initial state so the robot moves through one or more cycles of the cyclic gait. | 09-12-2013 |
20130238123 | ROBOTIC APPENDAGES - Embodiments provided herein generally relate to robotic limbs and uses thereof. In some embodiments, the motor for driving movement of the limb can itself be repositioned, thereby altering the forces and/or torque involved in moving and/or operating the limb. | 09-12-2013 |
20130245821 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system, including one or more robots which are provided to a first area where an entry by a person is restricted, and configured to perform a first work which includes one or more steps in the first area, a controller configured to control an operation of the one or more robots, and a visitor detector configured to detect a visitor to the first area. The controller includes a first work control portion configured to control the one or more robots so that the one or more robots perform the first work in the first area, and a first suspension control portion configured to control a predetermined at least a first robot of the one or more of the robots when one or more of the robots are performing one of the steps in the first area based on control by the first work control portion and the visitor is detected by the visitor detector, so that the first robot performs a predetermined act of suspension after performing the first work up to any predetermined stage, including an intermediate stage of the one step, a successful completion stage of the one step, and a successful completion stage of another step after the one step. | 09-19-2013 |
20130245822 | ROBOT APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING ROBOT APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A robot apparatus includes: a grasping section configured to grasp an object; a recognition section configured to recognize a graspable part and a handing-over area part of the object; a grasp planning section configured to plan a path of the grasping section for handing over the object to a recipient by the handing-over area part; and a grasp control section configured to control grasp operation of the object by the grasping section in accordance with the planned path. | 09-19-2013 |
20130253701 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A power-saving robot system includes at least one peripheral device and a mobile robot. The peripheral device includes a controller having an active mode and a hibernation mode, and a wireless communication component capable of activation in the hibernation mode. A controller of the robot has an activating routine that communicates with and temporarily activates the peripheral device, via wireless communication, from the hibernation mode. In another aspect, a robot system includes a network data bridge and a mobile robot. The network data bridge includes a broadband network interface, a wireless command interface, and a data bridge component. The data bridge component extracts serial commands received via the broadband network interface from an internet protocol, applies a command protocol thereto, and broadcasts the serial commands via the wireless interface. The mobile robot includes a wireless command communication component that receives the serial commands transmitted from the network data bridge. | 09-26-2013 |
20130261796 | INTELLIGENT ROBOT APPARATUS RESPONSIVE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AND RECONFIGURING INTELLIGENT ROBOT APPARATUS - Provided is a robot apparatus and a method of reconfiguring a software component and an internal environment that may autonomously optimize and reconfigure a component execution program, execution environment settings, and the like, dynamically reconfigure components using a component included in the robot or a component downloaded from a server, or optimally configure an internal configuration of the robot, in response to the provided command so that the robot apparatus may perform a provided command in response to a change in an environment by dynamically recognizing the change in the environment when an environment in which the robot is used, although the external environment or the internal environment is changed while the robot is operated. | 10-03-2013 |
20130268115 | Device for Testing and/or Operating an Effector Unit - A device for testing and/or operating an effector unit for acting on a target includes a positioner unit for moving the effector unit and a control unit for driving the positioner unit. The control unit is configured to simulate and/or to damp the accelerations of a carrier platform, on which the device can be mounted under real conditions, by means of the positioner unit. | 10-10-2013 |
20130268116 | SMART ROBOT APPARATUS AND DYNAMIC SERVICE PROVIDING METHOD USING SAME - A smart robot apparatus and a dynamic service providing method using same for controlling an external device by using a certain code recognizer provided on the robot without needing an additional operation from a user and for providing various services desired by the user and described in various codes. The smart robot apparatus and the dynamic service providing method using same may conveniently control an external device without inconveniencing the user by needing to operate an additional input interface. Further, since the smart robot apparatus includes various wire or wireless network interfaces, not only indoor devices under a ubiquitous environment but also external devices such as smart phones and cell phones for mobile communication can be controlled. | 10-10-2013 |
20130274918 | Robot System Comprising A Robot And Two Devices That Can Be Connected To Said Robot In An Alternating Manner, And Method For Changing Said Devices - The invention relates to a method for changing devices (W | 10-17-2013 |
20130282173 | Remotely Controlled Surgical Robots - A surgical robotic system is provided including at least one robotic unit that is mechanically self-contained such that the robotic unit is movable on a bodily surface inside a patient's body independently of any structure positioned outside of the patient's body, and a control device positioned remotely from the at least one robotic unit, wherein said control device transmits commands that manipulate the at least one robotic unit inside the patient's body. A method of performing a robotically assisted medical procedure is also provided, including positioning at least one robotic unit inside a patient's body, moving the robotic unit on a bodily surface inside the patient's body by transmitting commands thereto via a control device that is positioned remotely from the at least one robotic unit, and actuating at least one medical tool positioned on the robotic unit via the control device. | 10-24-2013 |
20130289766 | Apparatus for Automated Maintenance of Aircraft Structural Elements - Automated apparatus for performing maintenance functions on airfoil-shaped bodies having short chord lengths, the apparatus being movable in a spanwise direction along the airfoil-shaped body. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a blade crawler capable of supporting any one of a plurality of end effectors for performing a set of maintenance functions on an airfoil-shaped body, such as a blade component. Included in these functions are multiple options for nondestructive inspection, drilling, grinding, fastening, appliqué application, scarfing, ply mapping, depainting, cleaning, and painting devices that are attached as the end effector for the blade crawler. As a whole, the blade crawler reduces maintenance time, labor hours and human errors when robotic maintenance functions are performed on blade components. | 10-31-2013 |
20130297069 | CONTROL APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A control apparatus detects a control signal that controls a movable portion of a device, and selects, from a plurality of transmitter stations, a transmitter station that transmits data a plurality of times to a movable station moving in accordance with movement of the movable portion, based on the detected control signal. | 11-07-2013 |
20130310971 | Robotic Construction Site Marking Apparatus - A position location and marking system includes a base unit having stored data location files and communication apparatus therein together with a cooperating mobile element which communicates with and aides in location under the control of the base unit. A robotic marker is provided with battery-powered self-propulsion and directional control and receives and supports the mobile element of the positioning system. A sprayer is also supported upon the robotic marker and is maintained in alignment with the position detecting portion of the mobile unit by a gimble system. An onboard controller is also supported upon the robotic marker to control robotic movements and spray operation in response to communicative position and location data. | 11-21-2013 |
20130310972 | ACTIVATION CONTROL DEVICE FOR ROBOTIC AUXILIARY DEVICES - Disclosed herein is a system for controlling “on”/“off” functionality of an auxiliary device including a circuit designed to monitor physical rotations. The device will activate or deactivate when predetermined rotations are sensed by the circuit within a specific time period. The circuit can be used on high vibration tooling such as grinders and saws due to its resistance to relatively large vibrational noise. The circuit also includes a current sensing device to determine when the auxiliary device draws too much current. When an over current situation is measured, the circuit will automatically shut down to protect the device's electronic components. This control system can be implemented in new device designs, or installed as a retrofit control mechanism to existing commercially available devices. | 11-21-2013 |
20130310973 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING SEVEN-AXIS ARTICULATED ROBOT, CONTROL PROGRAM, AND ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE - Provided is a method of controlling a seven-axis articulated robot including seven joints sequentially arranged from a proximal end of the robot to a distal end of the robot, the seven joints including rotational axes each causing a next joint to turn and rotational axes each causing a next joint to pivot, such that the rotational axes causing turning and the rotational axes causing pivoting are arranged alternately, the seven-axis articulated robot being configured such that rotational axes of three proximal end side joints of the robot do not intersect with each other at one point. The method includes performing inverse transformation using, as a constraint condition, such a joint angle of a middle joint among the three joints as to cause an assumed elbow angle to be constant in a case where a rotational axis of the middle joint is assumed as a shoulder. | 11-21-2013 |
20130310974 | ROBOT CONTROLLING APPARATUS AND ROBOT CONTROLLING METHOD - To allow a robot body to quickly resume operation, using simple control, when a main power supply is restored after a failure. A calculation unit divides a series of operations of the robot body into a plurality of operation blocks in advance and causes the robot body to perform operations sequentially from one operation block to another using power supplied from the main power supply (S | 11-21-2013 |
20130310975 | Microrobot, and Associated Control Method, Simulation Method, and Computer Programs - The invention relates to a microrobot that is microfabricated using micro-electromechanical system technology, including i pairs of drive modules wherein i ranges from 1 to n, where n is no less than 1, the microrobot comprising: a mounting arranged so as to support at least two drive modules aligned in a first direction (x), said drive modules forming a pair of drive modules; i pairs of primary connecting-rod assemblies, each primary connecting-rod assembly being pivotably connected to the drive pin of a drive module of the i | 11-21-2013 |
20130325177 | OFF-LINE PROGRAMMING SYSTEM - An off-line programming system ( | 12-05-2013 |
20130331986 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A WIRELESS FEATURE PACK - Systems and methods for transmitting measurement data wirelessly are described herein. A coordinate measurement device comprises an articulated arm comprising a plurality of articulated arm members, a coordinate acquisition member at a distal end, and a base at a proximal end. The device further comprises an add-on device assembly coupled to the coordinate acquisition member. The device further comprises a feature pack coupled to the base of the articulated arm. The feature pack may receive the coordinate data and the add-on device data packet, inserts bits of the coordinate data into a packet that can be transmitted over a network, and wirelessly transmits the packetized coordinate data and the add-on device data packet to a base station. | 12-12-2013 |
20130338825 | CARRYING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE SYSTEM AND METHODS - A carrying autonomous vehicle system, comprising: a carrying autonomous vehicle and at least one carried autonomous vehicle. The carrying autonomous vehicle has a main frame and at least one flipper. The carried autonomous vehicle uses at least one flipper to load and/or unload at least one carried autonomous vehicle on the main frame. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338826 | METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A GRIPPING LOCATION - According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising: obtaining at least one image comprising at least one object; analysing the at least one image to determine at least one gripping location to grip an object; selecting a gripping location from the at least one gripping location based on a predetermined criterion; and issuing at least one instruction to a gripper to grip the object at the selected gripping location. | 12-19-2013 |
20130345862 | DEVICE FOR REMOVING HEAT FROM AN AUTOMATED HANDLING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR A HANDLING ROBOT, AND USE OF THE DEVICE - A device for discharging heat from an automated handling device, in particular from a handling robot, having a structure of the handling device and having at least one heat-generating device, in particular of a drive system, of the handling device. A suction device or positive-pressure device for respectively discharging and delivering air is provided, which device is disposed in operative connection with the at least one heat-generating device. | 12-26-2013 |
20140025201 | METHOD FOR PLANNING PATH FOR AUTONOMOUS WALKING HUMANOID ROBOT - The present invention provides a method for planning a path for an autonomous walking humanoid robot that takes an autonomous walking step using environment map information, the method comprising: an initialization step of initializing path input information of the autonomous walking humanoid robot using origin information, destination information, and the environment map information; an input information conversion step of forming a virtual robot including information on the virtual robot obtained by considering the radius and the radius of gyration of the autonomous walking humanoid robot based on the initialized path input information; a path generation step of generating a path of the virtual robot using the virtual robot information, the origin information S, the destination information G, and the environment map information; and an output information conversion step of converting the path of the autonomous walking humanoid robot based on the virtual robot path generated in the path generation step. | 01-23-2014 |
20140031977 | MODULAR MOBILE ROBOT - A mobile robot has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. The mobile robot includes a chassis, drive system components, power components, a main processor, a communication system and a power and data distribution system. The chassis has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. Drive system components are operably attached to the chassis and power components are operably connected to the drive system components and the power and data distribution system. Each drive system component has a predetermined size that is compatible with the chassis. The main processor, the communication system and the power and data distribution system are all operably connected together and operably connected to the traction components and the power components. The main processor, the communication system, and the power and data distribution system are all compatible with the predetermined size of the chassis and at least one other size. | 01-30-2014 |
20140031978 | ROBOT HAND, ROBOT SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH THE ROBOT HAND, METHOD OF PRODUCTION USING THE ROBOT SYSTEM AND PRODUCT PRODUCED BY THE METHOD - A robot hand for receiving, processing, and placing a workpiece is provided. The robot hand is configured to receive the workpiece conveyed by a conveyor at a lower side of the conveyor, process the workpiece, and place the processed workpiece in a specified position. | 01-30-2014 |
20140031979 | Robot, A Docking System and A Docking Method - The present invention refers to a robot, a docking system and a docking method therefor. The docking system comprises a first circuit located in a robot. The first circuit comprises a power storage unit for supplying power to the robot and a first main control unit for controlling the movement of the robot. The docking system further comprises a first group of terminals electrically connected with the first circuit, and a second circuit located in a docking station. The second circuit comprises a power supplying unit. The docking system further comprises a second group of terminals electrically connected with the second circuit. The power storage unit or the power supplying unit provides a detection power. The detection power generates a detection current when it flows across a detection circuit. The detection circuit is constructed by the first circuit and the second circuit through the first group of terminals docking with the second group of terminals. The detection circuit further comprises a current detection unit, and the first main control unit confirms that the first group of terminals dock with the second group of terminals when the detection current is detected by the current detection unit. The robot according to this invention can reliably dock to the docking station without human intervention, which brings extreme convenience to production and life. | 01-30-2014 |
20140039674 | Projector Positioning - A method and apparatus is provided for identifying information to facilitate adjusting a projector's position to achieve a specified projected image on a projection surface. In an embodiment, a computing device comprising one or more sensors, which have a known spatial relationship with a projector, includes a position adjustment service configured to identify, based at least in part on the known spatial relationship between the one or more sensors and the projector, a current position of the projector relative to positions of a plurality of reference points that define a projection surface. The position adjustment service is further configured to determine a target position for the projector, determine differences between the current position of the projector and the target position for the projector, and perform one or more actions based upon the determined differences between the current position of the projector and the target position for the projector. | 02-06-2014 |
20140039675 | INSTRUCTIONAL HUMANOID ROBOT APPARATUS AND A METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates generally to an instructional humanoid robot. More particularly, the invention encompasses an apparatus and a method for having an instructional robot which is capable of physically and instructionally demonstrating the correct manner of performing the Islamic prayer and similar other Islamic or Muslim teachings. The instructional humanoid robot can also be programmed to perform any teaching or instructions as desired by the user or an operator. The instructional humanoid robot can also be preprogrammed to perform certain functions via the aid of a computer or similar device. The instructional humanoid robot can also be interactive via instructions and information accessed from a library, databank or similar other program storage device. | 02-06-2014 |
20140067115 | ROBOT AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot includes a first arm, a second arm, and a controller. A first hand is mounted to the first arm. The first hand is configured to hold a tool that is configured to perform a predetermined kind of work with respect to a workpiece. A second hand is mounted to the second arm. The second hand is configured to hold the tool. The controller is configured to control the first arm and the second arm to perform a switching operation of switching the tool from one arm among the first arm and the second arm holding the tool to another arm, so as to control the tool to make a circumferential movement around the workpiece. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067116 | SIDE BRUSH ASSEMBLY, ROBOT CLEANER AND CONTROL METHOD OF ROBOT CLEANER - A side brush assembly including a side arm capable of being exposed outside a main body and returning inside the main body and a side brush unit mounted to the side arm, a robot cleaner and a control method of the robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner includes a main body and at least one side brush assembly to increase a dust-removing area. The side brush assembly includes a side brush body, a side arm mounted to a bottom surface of the side brush body and configured to be exposed outside the main body, a side brush unit rotatably mounted to the side arm, a lever configured to rotate together with the side arm, a cam configured to rotate by receiving driving force from a driving motor, and an elastic member connecting the lever and the cam to rotate the lever by elastic force thereof. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074286 | SYSTEM TO MONITOR/ANALYZE ROBOT RELATED INFORMATION AND DISPLAY ON A SMART DEVICE - A robot monitoring system for monitoring and analyzing robot related data and displaying the data on a smart device is provided. The robot monitoring system comprises at least one robot in local communication with at least one robot controller. The at least one robot controller has local processing power for monitoring, gathering, and analyzing data related to the at least one robot. The data analysis results are formatted into a message file that is communicated to a storage system. The message file may then be retrieved by a smart device having software running thereon for displaying the results of the data analysis. | 03-13-2014 |
20140081452 | ROBOT APPARATUS - A robot apparatus includes a robot main body, a distance determining section, an order determining section, and an operation controlling section. The robot main body transfers a plurality of to-be-processed objects in order so as to subject every predetermined number of the to-be-processed objects to processing, and includes a robot arm and a robot hand. The distance determining section determines an entire transfer distance of each of the to-be-processed objects. The order determining section determines a transfer order of the to-be-processed objects based on a determination result of the distance determining section so that every predetermined number of the to-be-processed objects has uniform transfer time. The operation controlling section controls operations of the robot arm and the robot hand so as to transfer the to-be-processed objects in accordance with the transfer order determined by the order determining section. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081453 | Industrial Robot Having Electronic Drive Devices Distributed on the Robot Structure - In an industrial robot, the electronic drive devices for the electrical supply and control of electric motors of the robot are distributed on the robot structure, each being adjacent to the respective electric motor. The electronic drive devices are connected in series to each other and to a central processing unit. In this series connection an Ethernet line is included for communication of the electronic drive devices with the central processing unit. Thanks to this series connection, the robot harness is dramatically simplified and the operations for its replacement are consequently easier and faster. The structure of the connectors between the robot and the control unit is also greatly simplified. | 03-20-2014 |
20140107837 | ROBOT JOINT AND ROBOT ARM USING THE SAME - A robot joint utilized in a robot arm is disclosed. The robot joint includes a hollow shaft, a first gear, plural motors, plural second gears, an encoder, and a digital signal processor. The first gear is fixed on the hollow shaft. The motors are arranged surrounding the hollow shaft. Each of the motors has a rotating shaft. The second gears are fixed on the rotating shaft and are engaged with the first gear, so that the hollow shaft can be rotated with the second gears driven by the motors. The encoder is disposed at a side of one of the motors opposite to the second gears. The signal detected by the encoder is sent to the digital signal processor for driving the motors. A robot arm using the robot joint is also disclosed. | 04-17-2014 |
20140107838 | MOVEMENT OPERATION SYSTEM FOR AUTONOMOUS MOVING CLEANING APPARATUS - A movement operation system for autonomous moving cleaning apparatus comprises a virtual wall apparatus and an autonomous moving cleaning apparatus. The virtual wall apparatus includes an infrared ray emitter. The autonomous moving cleaning apparatus includes an infrared ray receiver and a microcontroller unit. The infrared ray emitter emits at least one encrypted infrared signal within an emission zone. When the autonomous moving cleaning apparatus enters the emission zone and the infrared ray receiver receives the encrypted infrared signal, the microcontroller unit controls the autonomous moving cleaning apparatus to move away from the virtual wall apparatus. The encrypted infrared signal can be encrypted in different codes or operating frequencies to prevent the autonomous moving cleaning apparatus from being interfered by external lights or other infrared rays so that it can operate steadily. | 04-17-2014 |
20140114475 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SHARING DEVICE RESOURCES BETWEEN ROBOT SOFTWARE COMPONENTS - In an apparatus for sharing device resources between robot software user components, a callback module of a robot software user component receives data forwarded from a device set to be shared between the robot software user components, a device service surrogate has a connection with a framework to forward data to the device or forward data received through the callback module to a user program of the user components; a device service surrogate manager manages the device service surrogate of each of the user components; a device channel has a connection with the device to receive data therefrom and transmit data thereto; and a device channel manager manages the device channel and connect the device channel and the device service surrogate. | 04-24-2014 |
20140121831 | TRANSFER UNIT, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TRANSFER UNIT, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING SUBSTRATE USING THE TRANSFER UNIT - Provided is a transfer unit. The transfer unit includes a robot transferring a substrate and a controller controlling a speed of the robot according to the number of substrates to be transferred by the robot for a preset period. When the number of substrates to be transferred for the preset period increases, the robot increases in moving speed by the controller. | 05-01-2014 |
20140135981 | ROBOTIC STRONG ARM - A robotic strong arm (RSA) for assisting in the transfer of a person from a first surface to a second surface, comprising: first and second members, wherein in each member comprises a prismatic joint having first and second ends and comprising inner and outer shells and a motor for powered linear movement of the outer shell with respect to the inner shell; a first powered joint interconnecting the second end of the first member with the first end of the second member, wherein the first powered joint provides movement of the second member with respect to the first member; wherein the first end of the first member is attached to a rotatable base and wherein the rotatable base is movably attached for powered movement along a component associated with, and extending around at least a portion of a periphery about, the first surface; and a computer controller for controlling movements of the outer shells, first powered joint, rotation of the rotatable base and movement of the rotatable base and RSA along the component. | 05-15-2014 |
20140142750 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC RECONFIGURATION OF ROBOT COMPONENTS - A device for dynamic reconfiguration of robot components includes: a resource monitoring unit for monitoring resources of a plurality of boards on which components for executing tasks of a robot are loaded; a dynamic reconfiguration unit for dynamically reconfiguring components of the boards, in the case at least one of the boards is at a risk for a scarcity of resources; and a log managing unit for storing a configuration of present components and a configuration of reconfigured components. Accordingly, it is possible to recognize a scarcity of resources in advance while the robot is operating and prevent the robot from malfunctioning by distributing the components. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142751 | ROBOT SYSTEM, ROBOT HAND, ROBOT, AND A ROBOT CONTROL METHOD - A robot system includes a robot having one or more drive shafts, a hand attached to the robot and configured to hold a container having an opening through which contents are put in and taken out of the container, and a controller for controlling operations of the robot and the hand. The controller is configured to perform an operation of moving the hand to a holding position to hold the container, an operation of moving the hand to a discharging position and tilting the container to discharge the contents through the opening, and an operation of moving the hand to a placing position to release the container held by the hand. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142752 | ROBOT DEVICE - A robot device includes a robot and a controller. The robot includes a base, an arm body, and a plurality of actuators. The arm body comprises a multi joint structure composed of a plurality of arm elements. The plurality of actuators is configured to drive the plurality of arm elements. The controller is configured to control operations of the plurality of actuators. Each of the plurality of arm elements includes a frame member and an elastic outer skin. The frame member is configured to constitute a support structure at least for gravity. The elastic outer skin is constituted by an elastic body and arranged so as to form a surface outer skin of the arm element while covering the frame member. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142753 | MANEUVERING ROBOTIC VEHICLES - Configurations are provided for vehicular robots or other vehicles to provide shifting of their centers of gravity for enhanced obstacle navigation. A robot chassis with pivotable driven flippers has a pivotable neck and sensor head mounted toward the front of the chassis. The neck is pivoted forward to shift the vehicle combined center of gravity (combined CG) forward for various climbing and navigation tasks. The flippers may also be selectively moved to reposition the center of gravity. Various weight distributions allow different CG shifting capabilities. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142754 | SYSTEM FOR COMMANDING A ROBOT - A system and method for commanding a robot by a programmable logic controller are disclosed. The system can include a programmable logic controller, at least two function blocks with at least one input for triggering an execution of a PLC function and at least one output indicating status of a function block. Each function block corresponds to a movement segment of a movement path of a robot to be commanded. A command queue can store and send orchestrated robot commands to the robot. Backwards motion of the robot can be performed by stopping execution of not yet executed robot commands for forward motion, and sequentially resending at least one executed robot command stored in the command queue in a contrawise sequence. | 05-22-2014 |
20140148948 | Method For Testing The Plausability Of Output Signals Of A Resolver - The invention relates to a method for testing the plausibility of output signals (u | 05-29-2014 |
20140156066 | ELECTRIC HAND WITH A FORCE SENSOR - When a gripping instruction is issued, a position feedback control is performed so that an actuator of an electric hand is driven and a finger portion is moved toward a predetermined position target value. When the finger portion comes into contact with a target, the contact is determined by a force sensor. Then, the position feedback control is switched to a force feedback control, and the actuator is driven so that a force detection value obtained by the force sensor matches a predetermined force target value, so that the target may be gripped by an accurate gripping force. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156067 | ROBOT FOR INSPECTING PIPELINES - Provided herein is a robot for inspecting pipelines as it moves along an outer surface of a pipeline, the robot comprising: a plurality of body parts detachably provided along a longitudinal direction of the pipeline; a connector configured to connect adjacent body parts, and to distance one of the connected body parts away from the pipeline so that the plurality of body parts may cross an obstacle; and a controller configured to control the connector to lift one of the body parts to cross an obstacle, with another body part secured to the pipeline. | 06-05-2014 |
20140163729 | Planning a Grasp, for Use by a Robotic grasper to Pick Up a Complex Object, Based on Object, Grasper, and Grasper Approach Data - A system, for planning a grasp for implementation by a grasping device having multiple grasping members, comprising a processor and a computer-readable storage device having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform multiple operations. The operations include generating, for each of the multiple grasping members, multiple planar polygon representations of a three-dimensional object model. The operations also include transforming a planar polygon, of the multiple polygons generated, to a frame of a link of multiple links of a subject member of the multiple grasping members, forming a transformed polygon, being a cross-section of the object model taken along a member-curling plane of the subject member. The operations further include sweeping, in iterations associated respectively with each link of the subject member, the link from a fully-open position for the link to a point at which the link contacts the transformed planar polygon. | 06-12-2014 |
20140172163 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SELECTING LASTING FEELING OF MACHINE - Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for selecting lasting feeling of a machine. The apparatus for selecting lasting feeling of a machine includes an behavior combination extraction unit configured to extract behavior combinations expressing feelings of a machine; and a continuity determination unit configured to determine whether a behavior expressed at a just previous time is the same as a currently expressed behavior for each feeling expression element of a machine configuring the extracted behavior combinations and when a difference between the behavior of the feeling expression elements expressed at the just previous time and the behavior of the currently expressed feeling expression elements is larger than a setting value, allows the behavior combination extraction unit to extract a new behavior combination. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172164 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR APPLYING DISINFECTANT TO THE TEATS OF DAIRY LIVESTOCK - A method for applying a substance to the teats of a dairy livestock comprises extending a robotic arm between the legs of a dairy livestock positioned in a stall. The method continues by rotating a linear member of a spray tool about an axis that is perpendicular to the robotic arm, wherein the linear member has a perimeter that lies within an outer perimeter of the robotic arm when the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The method continues by discharging a substance as the linear member rotates. | 06-19-2014 |
20140214201 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system according to an aspect of embodiments includes a terminal part, a robot control unit, and a duplex signal line. The terminal part includes a connection terminal to which one or more external devices that output a plurality of signals can be connected. The robot control unit controls an operation of the robot in accordance with the signals from the external device(s). The duplex signal line connects the terminal part to the robot control unit and transmits the plurality of signals, input from the external device(s) into the terminal part, to the robot control unit via two routes. Moreover, the duplex signal line includes the two routes each of which collects the plurality of signals and transmits the signals with a signal line. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214202 | ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE, ROBOT, AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot control method includes a first step of selecting a holding form in which a robot holds an object and a second step of determining whether the object can continue to be stably held when a predetermined external force is applied to the object in the selected holding form. In the second step, it is determined that the object can continue to be stably held when a force which should be generated by a contact portion to generate resistance to the predetermined external force is included in a friction cone of a force generated by driving the contact portion and enlarged by a suction force from the suction mechanism. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214203 | OPERATING PROGRAM WRITING SYSTEM - An operating program writing system ( | 07-31-2014 |
20140222197 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OPERATION OF AN AUTONOMOUS ROBOT - A system and method for monitoring operation of an autonomous robot. In one aspect, the invention can be a method comprising: defining, with a central processing unit of the autonomous robot, a perimeter of an area of confinement; storing the perimeter of the area of confinement within a memory device of the autonomous robot as map data; transmitting the map data from a transceiver of the autonomous robot to a server; overlaying, by the server, the area of confinement onto a satellite image corresponding to a geographic location that includes the area of confinement to create a visual representation of the area of confinement overlaid onto the satellite image; transmitting, from the server to an external device, the visual representation of the area of confinement overlaid onto the satellite image; and displaying, on a display, the visual representation of the area of confinement overlaid onto the satellite image. | 08-07-2014 |
20140244034 | CONTROL SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH DETACHABLE CONTROL PANEL - A control system ( | 08-28-2014 |
20140244035 | Manipulation of Objects - A system for manipulation of objects. The system includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer; and a mechanism for controlling and 2D locating of the N objects. A method for manipulating objects. The method includes the steps of receiving information from N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, at a centrally controlling and 2D locating controller; determining 2D locations by the controller of the N objects; and transmitting from the controller directions to the N objects for the N objects to move. An apparatus for tracking. The apparatus includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, each object having an emitter which emits light; and a mechanism for 2D sensing of the N objects over time from the light emitted by each emitter. The present invention pertains to a method for tracking. The method includes the steps of emitting light from N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer; and sensing 2D locations of the N objects over time from the emitted light from the N objects. | 08-28-2014 |
20140249670 | SYSTEMIC DERIVATION OF SIMPLIFIED DYNAMICS FOR HUMANOID ROBOTS - The disclosure provides an approach for determining simplified models of humanoid robots. A simplification application linearizes a robot model around a nominal state and performs a singular value decomposition of an inertial term of the model, selecting singular values and corresponding singular vectors to be kept in an inertial term of a simplified model by matching a kinetic energy of the original model to a kinetic energy of the simplified model. Further, a gravitational forces term and a velocity-dependent forces term may be determined by computing active joint torques at sample poses around the nominal pose and solving for the gravitational forces term and the velocity-dependent forces term. A mapping from the simplified model to the original model may be determined using, e.g., numerical optimization. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249671 | Robot System - A power-saving robot system includes at least one peripheral device and a mobile robot. The peripheral device includes a controller having an active mode and a hibernation mode, and a wireless communication component capable of activation in the hibernation mode. A controller of the robot has an activating routine that communicates with and temporarily activates the peripheral device, via wireless communication, from the hibernation mode. In another aspect, a robot system includes a network data bridge and a mobile robot. The network data bridge includes a broadband network interface, a wireless command interface, and a data bridge component. The data bridge component extracts serial commands received via the broadband network interface from an internet protocol, applies a command protocol thereto, and broadcasts the serial commands via the wireless interface. The mobile robot includes a wireless command communication component that receives the serial commands transmitted from the network data bridge. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249672 | POSITIONING DEVICE AND PLC SYSTEM - A positioning device includes a computing unit that analyzes a positioning start instruction that includes an operation pattern; a storage unit that stores therein an operation pattern and an analysis result obtained by the computing unit in association with each other; and an instruction generating unit that, when it is verified that an operation pattern corresponding to an operation pattern included in the positioning start instruction is stored in the storage unit, reads an analysis result associated with the corresponding operation pattern and generates positioning instruction data for positioning a control target by using a read analysis result. | 09-04-2014 |
20140257558 | REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS BY USING NEW METHODS FOR MOTION PATH PROGRAMMING - Various disclosed embodiments include methods, systems, and computer-readable media for identifying a motion path for an industrial robot. According to one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of points at which at least one component of the industrial robot is positioned during performance of a task. The identified points include at least a starting point and an ending point of the component for performing the task. The method also includes generating one or more motion paths for the industrial robot to perform the task based on the identified points. The method further includes identifying and predicting energy consumption by the industrial robot for the one or more generated motion paths. The method also includes selecting the motion path for the industrial robot based on the identified energy consumption. Additionally, the method includes storing information about the energy consumption by the industrial robot for the selected motion path. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257559 | Method of Controlling a Robot - A method of controlling motion on the ground of a device having at least two legs comprising: obtaining current values of dynamic state variables of the device; optimizing a movement command for the device under constraints while taking account of said current values and of a movement setpoint for the device, said optimization being performed by modeling a movement of the device between a current state and a second state, the device being supported during said movement by at least on a first leg, and then from an instant in which the center of pressure on the ground is changed, at least on a second leg; and applying said movement command; wherein said optimization is performed on the assumption that the gravity potential energy of the device in the second state is a local maximum as a function of time. | 09-11-2014 |
20140277711 | ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING WORKPIECE - A robot system includes a first robot arm and a controller. The first robot arm extends in a first direction and includes a holder to hold a workpiece placed on a workpiece placement stand. The holder includes a distal end portion and a base portion. The base portion is coupled to the first robot arm such that a turning axis of a portion of the first robot arm to which the base portion of the holder is coupled is apart from a geometrical center of the holder. The controller controls the holder to hold the workpiece while controlling the first robot arm to turn the holder with the distal end portion of the holder oriented in a direction crossing the first direction. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277712 | MICROMANIPULATOR ARRANGEMENT - The aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to a micromanipulator arrangement that includes at least one drive stem, at least one movable element arranged on the drive stem to move along the drive stem wherein the drive stem being arranged to cause a change in a position of the movable element with respect to the drive stem; wherein an additional factor exists having an effect in the change of the position of the movable element and the micromanipulator arrangement further comprises means for compensating said additional factor such that said effect is diminished. | 09-18-2014 |
20140288702 | Robot system and method for the removal of bolts from haulage truck wheels - The robotic system for the removal of bolts from haulage truck wheels is comprised mainly of an anthropomorphous robotic manipulator of at least 5 degrees of freedom (1), with a system for tightening and removal (2) which allows taking bolts from a drawer rack (3) located on a mobile equipment (4). The operator indicates the beginning of the operations as well as the key positions for the activity development. The reposition of new bolts and the relocation of the mobile system is presently carried out by the operator. In this regard, most of the major problems associated to the safety of the personnel and a decreasing of availability are eliminated. | 09-25-2014 |
20140288703 | ROBOTICS APPARATUS, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - The robotics apparatus includes an f | 09-25-2014 |
20140288704 | System and Method for Controlling Behavior of a Robotic Character - The present invention provides a system for controlling the behavior of a social robotic character. The system comprises a scene planner module. The scene planner module is configured to assemble a scene specification record comprising one or more behavior records. A scene execution module is configured to receive the scene specification record and to process the scene specification record to generate an output. A character interaction module is configured to receive the output and from the output cause the social robotic character to perform one or more behaviors specified by the one or more behavior records. The social robotic character may be embodied as a physical robot or a virtual robot. | 09-25-2014 |
20140297030 | METHOD OF GENERATING PATH OF MULTIAXIAL ROBOT AND CONTROL APPARATUS FOR THE MULTIAXIAL ROBOT - In a multiaxial robot, a path along which the end effector of the robot moves in the shortest time duration is generated. The robot includes a first link and a second link positioned closer to an end effector than the first link. Start and end points are specified, and velocity patterns are generated for joints driving the first and second links based on the specified start end points. The velocity patterns enable a movement of the second link to cause i) a reaction for increasing an acceleration force generated by the first joint when the end effector is started to be moved from the start point toward the end point, and ii) a reaction for increasing a deceleration force generated by the first joint when the end effector is stopping to the end point. | 10-02-2014 |
20140297031 | METHOD OF GENERATING PATH OF MULTIAXIAL ROBOT AND CONTROL APPARATUS FOR THE MULTIAXIAL ROBOT - A path is generated for an end effector arranged at a top of links of a multiaxial robot, where the end effector is moved along the path from a start point thereof to an end point thereof. In generating the path, the start and end points are positionally specified in the real space, and initial pass points are also generated between the start and end points. Coordinate positions of both specified start and end points and generated initial pass points are converted to angles of the respective axes of the joints. Based on the start and end points and initial pass points, which have been converted to the joint angle space, the path is generated which enables the end effector to be moved in the shortest time from its start point to its end point, during the initial pass points are changed repeatedly for generating the path. | 10-02-2014 |
20140297032 | MULTI-JOINT ROBOT HAVING GAS SPRING, AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING INNER PRESSURE OF THE GAS SPRING - A multi-joint robot having a function for estimating an amount of decrease in inner pressure of a gas spring, by means of a simple and low-cost structure, and a method for estimating the amount of decrease in inner pressure of the gas spring. The gas pressure within a cylinder of the gas spring decreases in connection with the motion of a lower arm associated with the gas spring. In the present invention, in view of a finding that the amount of decrease in inner pressure has a high correlation with a total movement distance obtained by integrating an amount of back-and-forth motion of a piston rod relative to a cylinder, an amount of decrease in inner pressure within the gas spring is estimated by calculating the total movement distance. | 10-02-2014 |
20140316564 | MOBILE ROBOT, POSITIONING SYSTEM OF MOBILE ROBOT, AND POSITIONING METHOD OF MOBILE ROBOT - A mobile robot has a seating part, a moving apparatus to move the seating part, and a robot part with a base part to be attached to the seating part, a body capable of rotating around a vertical axis normal to an attaching surface which the seating part to be attached to the base part, and an arm connected to the body having a plurality of joints. The seating part has a first surface facing a work that is subject to the operation by the robot part and a second surface that is different from the first surface, and the arms are formed such that the positional relationship between the arms and the first surface is substantially identical to the positional relationship between the arms and the second surface according to the rotation of the body around the vertical axis. | 10-23-2014 |
20140330431 | Joint Torque Augmentation System and Method for Gait Assistance - A joint torque augmentation system includes linkage assembly configured to couple to a user. Linkage assembly includes a unidirectional link and a device joint. The linkage assembly is worn by a user or is configured to couple to footwear. An actuator is coupled to the linkage assembly to provide a torque at a joint of the user. A sensor is coupled to the user to measure a position of the user. A control system is coupled to the sensor and actuator. A phase of gait for the user is determined by the control system based on the position measured by the sensor. The actuator produces a tension force on the linkage assembly during a first phase of gait. A compliant element is coupled between the actuator and linkage assembly. The compliant element is tuned based on a load carried by the user. | 11-06-2014 |
20140350722 | Apparatus and method for enabling rapid configuration and reconfiguration of a robotic assemblage - Modular components form a robotic assembly. the mod-components include modules and tools, each have a set of functions and capabilities, are rapidly configured-reconfigured to function cooperatively, creating a configurable robotic assemblage. Each mod-component incorporates a standardized connector mating with any other standardized connector in an interchangeable manner providing mechanical stability, power, and signals therebetween. Each mod-component incorporates a processor, data storage for mod-component identity, status, and programmable functionality, and for responding to commands. Storage is reprogrammed while the robot is operational, altering both commands and responses. After interconnection, inter-module power and communication are established and each modular component identifies itself and its functionality, thereby providing “plug and play” configuration. | 11-27-2014 |
20140358279 | PREDICTION SYSTEM - A prediction system includes an acquisition device, an execution device, and a prediction device. The acquisition device is configured to acquire a value of electric resistance of a cable secured by fixing members to a pair of link members configured to rotate relative to each other through a joint. The execution device is configured to cause the joint to execute a predetermined operation. The prediction device is configured to predict a service life of the cable based on a change in the value of electric resistance acquired by the acquisition device while the execution device is causing the joint to execute the predetermined operation. | 12-04-2014 |
20140358280 | ROBOT ARM CONTROL APPARATUS, SUBSTRATE TRANSFER APPARATUS, SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS, ROBOT ARM CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A robot arm control apparatus for controlling the operation of a robot arm device having at least two arm portions and at least two rotational joints configured to rotate the arm portions includes a control unit configured to control rotation of the joints to move generally rectilinearly the distal end of a predetermined arm portion of the arm portions except the most proximal arm portion thereof. The control unit controls the rotation of the joints so that the motion acceleration of the distal end of the predetermined arm portion when the distal end is moved generally rectilinearly results in coincidence with a predetermined temporal transition. The motion acceleration with the predetermined temporal transition is such that, when the motion acceleration is expressed as a function of time, a derivative obtained by differentiating the function with respect to the time shows a continuous transition with respect to changes in the time. | 12-04-2014 |
20140358281 | Robotic Smart Sign System and Methods - Described are robotic signs comprising: a sign post; an arm movably attached to the sign post, the arm having a positioning apparatus configured to allow the arm to rotate independently and contiguously around the sign post, the arm having at least one face comprising an electronic display configured to present display items; and a communication element configured to receive display item information from a remote administration application, the display item information comprising a direction and a description; wherein upon presenting a display item, an arm rotates to indicate the direction and displays the description. Also described are software applications for configuring the robotic signs, networks of the robotic signs, and advertising systems utilizing the robotic signs. | 12-04-2014 |
20140365003 | ROBOT AND METHOD OF OPERATING ROBOT - A robot includes a base, a body connected to the base, a pair of articulated arms rotatably connected to the body, and a moving mechanism adapted to move the body toward or away from the base. Further, a relative positional relationship with a workbench is detected by moving the body with respect to the base using the moving mechanism while keeping the articulated arms in predetermined postures while facing the workbench, and then making the articulated arms contact the workbench. | 12-11-2014 |
20140379126 | Monitoring A Kinematically Redundant Robot - A method for monitoring a kinematically redundant robot includes detecting joint forces acting in the joints of the robot, determining an external work force between a robot-permanent reference point and an environment based on the detected joint forces, determining a further monitoring variable that is at least substantially independent of an external force acting on the robot-permanent reference point based on the detected joint forces, and monitoring the determined external work force and the determined further monitoring variable. | 12-25-2014 |
20140379127 | SELF-PROPELLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A self-propelled cleaner ( | 12-25-2014 |
20150025681 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROBOTIC PATIENT SYNTHESIS - Some embodiments of the invention include a robotic patient system including a computer system including a processor and a coupled sensor, and a control system configured to receive control data. The robotic patient system also includes a synthetic patient robot including a feature detector and action selector configured to actuate the robot based at least in part on the control data. Some further embodiments of the invention include a computer-implemented method of providing a robotic synthetic patient by providing a synthetic patient robot, configuring a control system to receive control data, extracting and converting a feature from the control data, and converting to an actuator command to move the robotic patient system. Some embodiments include a robot including a computer system including a processor, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a control system configured to be coupled to a source of control data to control the robot substantially autonomously. | 01-22-2015 |
20150025682 | ROBOT CONTROLLER AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot controller includes an input unit that receives operation instruction information, a database that stores grasp pattern information, and a processing unit that performs control processing based on information from the input unit and information from the database, and the input unit receives first to N-th operation instructions as operation instruction information, the processing unit loads i-th grasp pattern information that enables execution of the i-th operation instruction and j-th grasp pattern information that enables execution of the j-th operation instruction as the next operation instruction to the i-th operation instruction from the database, and performs control processing based on the i-th grasp pattern information and the j-th grasp pattern information. | 01-22-2015 |
20150032254 | COMMUNICATION DRAW-IN SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION DRAW-IN METHOD, AND COMMUNICATION DRAW-IN PROGRAM - A communication draw-in system that enables robot-human communication to start smoothly is provided. The communication draw-in system is a communication draw-in system provided in a robot that communicates with a target human, and includes: a human specifying unit | 01-29-2015 |
20150032255 | ARRANGEMENT OF AN ACTUATOR AND AN ACTUATOR HOLDER - An arrangement of an actuator and an actuator holder. The actuator is movably connected to the actuator holder, and devices are provided for supplying the actuator with operating energy. The devices for supplying the actuator with operating energy include an energy store integrated into the actuator. The actuator is preferably movable relative to the actuator holder in at least one dimension in an unrestricted manner. | 01-29-2015 |
20150039125 | ROBOT - A robot includes: a stage unit; a rotation base connected to the stage unit in a rotatable manner around a predetermined rotating axis; an arm unit connected to the rotation base and having a base end rotatable around a first rotation axis that is substantially orthogonal to the rotating axis; a first attachment unit provided to the rotation base, arranged in an outside, in a rotation radius direction, of the rotation base and nearer to the stage unit than the first rotation axis, and formed so that one part of a balancer is attached thereto; and a second attachment unit provided to the arm unit and formed so that another part of the balancer is attached thereto. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039126 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system according to an aspect of the present embodiment includes a robot (a first robot) and a controller. The robot has a robot hand (hand) equipped with one set of gripping claws that grips a tape member stuck on a workpiece to be processed. The controller instructs the robot to perform operation of peeling off the tape member while gripping the end of the tape member with the gripping claws. | 02-05-2015 |
20150045948 | Robotic Lawnmower - A robotic lawnmower | 02-12-2015 |
20150073592 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR LEGGED MOBILE ROBOT - A setting unit | 03-12-2015 |
20150073593 | OPERATING MACHINE WITH REDUNDANT AXES AND RESOLUTION OF THE REDUNDANCY IN REAL TIME - A program for a numerical control device is disclosed that determines path points to be approached by an end effector. A control signal group is ascertained for each path point that contains its set point value for each position-controlled axis. Those values are output to the axes, moving the end effector. The degrees of freedom are fewer than the position-controlled axes. The control signal groups are ascertained so that the end effector approaches the path points at least approximately. The control signal groups are ascertained gradually during the activation of the axes. The set point values are ascertained by minimizing an objective function. The objective function that is minimized includes at least the set point values for a path point only to be approached in the future. The sequence between the currently approached point and the point approached in the future has at least one further path point. | 03-12-2015 |
20150081092 | SERPENTING ROBOTIC CRAWLER FOR PERFORMING DEXTEROUS OPERATIONS - A serpentine robotic crawler having multiple dexterous manipulators supported about multiple frame units. The frame units are connected via an articulating linkage at proximal ends wherein the articulating linkage is capable of positioning the frames into various configurations. Dexterous manipulators are coupled to distal ends of the frame units and are positionable via the articulating linkage and articulating joints therein into various positions about the frame ends. The configurations and positioning of the dexterous manipulators allows the robotic crawler to perform coordinated dexterous operations. | 03-19-2015 |
20150081093 | CONTROLLER AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A controller includes: a plurality of first drivers that outputs a plurality of drive signals to drive a plurality of motors, respectively, and stops an output of the drive signals with a stop signal; a second driver that outputs a drive signal to drive another motor, and stops an output of the drive signal with a stop signal; a first transmitter that transmits the stop signal to all the first drivers; a second transmitter that transmits the stop signal to the second driver; and a stop signal introduction unit capable of introducing separate stop signals to into the first transmitter and the second transmitter, respectively. | 03-19-2015 |
20150081094 | GENERAL-PURPOSE PERIPHERAL INTERFACE, A METHOD OF INTERFACING, AND AN APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME FOR CONTROLLING A ROBOT - A general-purpose peripheral interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of complementary connectors including at least one input terminal, at least one output terminal, and at least one power supply terminal and ground terminal, wherein when a connector of a peripheral device is combined to a connector of a control device, an identification voltage in a voltage range varying according to a type of the peripheral device is shown in the input terminal. Here, the voltage ranges may be set not to overlap each other when the types of the peripheral devices are different. The type of the peripheral device may be one of an input type, an input-output mixed type, and an output type. | 03-19-2015 |
20150088308 | LINK ACTUATION DEVICE - A link actuation device includes a distal end side link hub connected with a proximal end side link hub through three or more sets of link mechanisms for alteration in orientation. By means of an actuator provided in the two or more set of the link mechanism, the distal end orientation, which is the orientation of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end link hub, is changed arbitrarily. The operating device includes an orientation designating unit for designating the distal end orientation aimed at by means of a coordinate position on the orthogonal coordinate system by an artificial manipulation, an orientation acquiring unit for acquiring the distal end orientation that is expressed by an angular coordinate system through calculation, and an orientation information applying unit for applying information on the distal end orientation so acquired to a control device for controlling the actuator. | 03-26-2015 |
20150088309 | Method for Operating a Multi-Limb Manipulator - A method for operating a multi-limb manipulator which includes electric actuators assigned to manipulator limbs, control units assigned to the actuators, including: the provision of desired movement values for the actuator to an actuator dynamic model and the determination of an electric desired current value for the actuator, the transfer of the desired current value to a controller designed for outputting an actuator current to the actuator with the inclusion of the desired current value and of a measured actual current value and a measured actual position of the actuator, wherein a difference between the desired current value and the actual current value is determined as a required positional deviation, and wherein the positional deviation is added to the desired distance fed into the actuator dynamic model to facilitate a diversion movement of the manipulator limb operated by the actuator on the occurrence of an external disturbing force. | 03-26-2015 |
20150094850 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TRAINING OF ROBOTIC CONTROL ARBITRATION - Apparatus and methods for arbitration of control signals for robotic devices. A robotic device may comprise an adaptive controller comprising a plurality of predictors configured to provide multiple predicted control signals based on one or more of the teaching input, sensory input, and/or performance. The predicted control signals may be configured to cause two or more actions that may be in conflict with one another and/or utilize a shared resource. An arbitrator may be employed to select one of the actions. The selection process may utilize a WTA, reinforcement, and/or supervisory mechanisms in order to inhibit one or more predicted signals. The arbitrator output may comprise target state information that may be provided to the predictor block. Prior to arbitration, the predicted control signals may be combined with inputs provided by an external control entity in order to reduce learning time. | 04-02-2015 |
20150100156 | Adjusting Parameters Of A Dynamical Robot Model - A method, robot arrangement and computer program product for tuning a dynamical model of an industrial robot on a foundation. The parameter determining device includes a model memory with a first dynamical model of the robot, the first dynamical model including first model parameters representing dynamical properties of the robot; and a second dynamical model of a foundation to which the robot is to be attached, the second dynamical model including second model parameters representing dynamical properties of the foundation, and a parameter adjusting unit that obtains information about dynamical properties of the foundation by ordering the actuator to move the robot and by receiving, from the detector, measurements of at least one property affected by the movement; and set at least one of the second model parameters on the basis of the dynamical properties of the foundation. | 04-09-2015 |
20150105904 | AUTOMATICALLY TRAVELLING DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An automatic moving device and a control method therefor. The automatic moving device comprises a battery pack providing power. The automatic moving device can work within a working area and automatically return to a charging station for charging. The control method comprises the following steps: monitoring the power level of the battery pack; if the power level of the battery pack is less than or equal to a preset power level, initiating an action of returning the automatic moving device to the charging station; and after a preset time period, stopping the travel. By setting a preset time period simultaneously with initiating a return action, and executing a return action within the preset time period, the control method prevents damage to the battery pack from over-discharging caused by the automatic moving device continually returning, thus achieving the effects of protecting the battery pack and extending the life thereof. | 04-16-2015 |
20150112480 | ROBOT MALFUNCTION INDICATION METHOD - In sensor-less collision detection of a robot, a conventional method for displaying abnormality of the robot makes an abnormality display of “collision detected” when a collision is erroneously detected, and does not clarify the situations under which the collision has been erroneously detected. In a method for displaying abnormality of a robot, when a collision of the robot is detected and the collision detection is displayed, at least one abnormality display is selected from a plurality of abnormality detection items different from collision detection. This can offer information useful for the user to understand the situations at occurrence of the erroneous collision detection. | 04-23-2015 |
20150120041 | Tooling System with Electronic Signal Maintenance - Devices and methods for providing power to tools when the tools are not attached to a robotic device. The power source may be an energy storage device that is attached to a tool frame of a tool cluster. The power provides for the tools to be maintained in a ready state which expedites and/or eliminates the initiation process when the tools and the tool cluster are subsequently reattached to the robotic device. This reduces the time necessary for the tools to be used in the assembly process thereby increasing the efficiency of the tooling system. | 04-30-2015 |
20150120042 | ROBOT - A robot includes a tool shaft, a first supporting mechanism attached to one portion of the tool shaft and tiltably supporting the tool shaft, a second supporting mechanism attached to a different portion of the tool shaft and tiltably supporting the tool shaft, a first in-plane movement mechanism that moves the first supporting mechanism in a first plane, a second in-plane movement mechanism that moves the second supporting mechanism in a second plane, and a controller that controls an in-plane position and an inclination angle of the tool shaft to control the first in-plane movement mechanism and the second in-plane movement mechanism. The first supporting mechanism or the second supporting mechanism supports the tool shaft movably in an axial direction. | 04-30-2015 |
20150127146 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODULAR ROBOTIC SYSTEM - A user-customizable modular robotic method and system that includes a robot base unit that has a battery housing containing a power source and a magnetic tower connected to the battery housing that includes a plurality of magnetic sockets. The method and system further includes modular components that each include magnetic coupling members attachable to the magnetic sockets, such that the connected modular components receive power from the battery of the base unit. The modular components further include a connection port for data communication with a connected modular component and a processor that can transmit status and query data to the connected modular component. In addition, system and method include a programming station that can be patched to a particular robot that enables a user to easily customize the operation and function of the components of the patched robot using a simple touch and drag user interface. | 05-07-2015 |
20150134109 | SWITCHED CAPACITIVE DEVICES AND METHOD OF OPERATING SUCH DEVICES - A switched capacitive device includes a stator including a plurality of first electrodes extending substantially in a longitudinal dimension. The switched capacitive device also includes an armature including a plurality of second electrodes proximate the plurality of first electrodes. The plurality of second electrodes is translatable with respect to the plurality of first electrodes. The plurality of second electrodes extends substantially in the longitudinal dimension. The plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are configured to induce substantially linear motion of the second plurality of electrodes in the longitudinal dimension with respect to the first plurality of electrodes as a function of an electric field induced by at least a portion of the first plurality of electrodes. | 05-14-2015 |
20150142169 | CLEANING ROBOT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A cleaning robot including a main body, a pad mounted below the main body to implement cleaning, and a drive assembly to apply drive power to the pad. The drive assembly moves the main body to a target position by adjusting the drive power. The cleaning robot may move at a high speed owing to omni-directional movement thereof without rotation of the main body. Further, the cleaning robot may imitate a human wiping pattern, thus achieving enhanced cleaning efficiency. Furthermore, various cleaning patterns including a straight pattern and a curvilinear pattern may be applied to the cleaning robot. | 05-21-2015 |
20150142170 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE WALKING MOTION OF A MOBILE ROBOT, AND ROBOT IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD - A computer program and a system for controlling walking of a mobile robot, notably a humanoid robot moving on two legs. Conventionally, control was guided by driving a zero moment point. Such driving was performed within a fixed coordinate system connected to a progression surface and assumed knowledge of the characteristics of said surface and the creation of a provisional trajectory. Such driving encountered significant limitations due to the nature of the progression surfaces on which walking can effectively be controlled and an obligation to have a perfect knowledge of their geometry; and also in respect to the necessary computing power, and the appearance of the walk which bore little resemblance to an actual human walk. The invention overcomes such limitations by providing a walk which includes a pseudo-free or ballistic phase, an impulse phase imparted by the heel of the robot, and a landing phase. | 05-21-2015 |
20150148948 | MIXING MACHINE MOTION IN A HANDHELD MARKING DEVICE - Current handheld marking devices typically use hand movement to create marks on a surface. Marks, in this context, can be defined as an area on a surface having different physical properties from its surroundings. Such marks are created by the motion of a marking region that travels on a surface plane, creating a mark over time. Examples of such devices are: pens, brushes, markers, spray tools, and engraving instruments. | 05-28-2015 |
20150148949 | STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Systems for cleaning a structure via a robot are described. The robot includes a body. The robot further includes a tool coupled to the body and configured to hold a structural maintenance tool. The robot includes a sensor coupled to the body. The robot includes a drive system configured to allow positioning of the body along the structure, including inverted positioning and vertical positioning. The robot further includes a communication interface coupled to the body. The robot includes a controller coupled to the body. The controller is in communication with the tool, the sensor, and the drive system. The controller is configured to receive an operating instruction through the communication interface. The controller is configured to autonomously position the body via the drive system and to perform a task with at least one of the tool and the sensor according to the operating instruction. | 05-28-2015 |
20150148950 | ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM, AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot control device of a vertical articulated robot having seven axes and an offset structure includes: a storage unit which stores a condition of a status of the vertical articulated robot including a position of an elbow in the vertical articulated robot and control information for controlling the vertical articulated robot such that the condition is satisfied to match each other; an input unit to which the condition of the status of the vertical articulated robot including the position of the elbow is input; and a robot control unit which controls the vertical articulated robot such that the input condition is satisfied on the basis of the control information stored in the storage unit to match the same condition as the condition input to the input unit. | 05-28-2015 |
20150290806 | Method For Commanding a Multi-Axis Robot and Robot for Implementing Such a Method - The invention relates to a method for commanding the brakes (F | 10-15-2015 |
20150303076 | METHOD FOR SETTING COATING MODULE QUANTITY AND ROBOT SPEED - The present invention relates to developing and design a coater & developer with high throughput that in-line with lithograph equipment during integrated circuit production, which needs to reasonably set the quantity of processing modules and the transfer speed of robots in the coater & developer. The present invention provides a method for setting the quantity of the processing modules and the transfer speed of the robots in the coater & developer, including steps of determining the processing time parameter of the coater & developer according to the target throughput, and designing the processing periodic time parameter of each processing module and the transfer periodic time parameter of each wafer transfer robot in the coater & developer make the three time parameters tend to consistency. | 10-22-2015 |
20150306764 | MODULAR MOBILE ROBOT - A mobile robot system includes a plurality of mobile robots. Each robot has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. The mobile robot includes a chassis, drive system components, power components, a main processor, a communication system and a power and data distribution system. The chassis has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. Drive system components are operably attached to the chassis and power components are operably connected to the drive system components and the power and data distribution system. The main processor, the communication system and the power and data distribution system are all operably connected together and operably connected to the traction components and the power components. The main processor, the communication system, and the power and data distribution system are all configured for use with the predetermined size of the chassis and at least one other size. | 10-29-2015 |
20150306766 | Robot Control With Improved Safety - For controlling a robot in a safe way, a highest voltage required for a desired robot movement is calculated. A voltage level in a DC-bus is set on the basis of the highest voltage, and current is supplied to a motor at a robot axis from the DC-bus. By limiting the voltage level in the DC-bus to correspond to an actual need for a desired robot movement at each instant unnecessary fast robot movements are prevented even in the event that an inverter controlling motor currents would by mistake attempt to drive the motor faster than desired by the operator. | 10-29-2015 |
20150314444 | GLASS CLEANING ROBOT OUTAGE EMERGENCY PROCESSING METHOD - A glass cleaning robot outage emergency processing method comprises the following steps: Step | 11-05-2015 |
20150314447 | Teleoperation Of Machines Having At Least One Actuated Mechanism And A Fault Detection And Recovery System - A machine has at least one actuated mechanism is remotely located from a control station. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that is configured to determine from data from one or more sensors at the machine location if an actual fault has occurred in the machine when the machine is performing its predetermined function and to determine for an actual fault one or more types for the fault and transmit the one or more fault types to the control station for analysis. The code in the controller is configured to be a preprogrammed trap routine specific to the machine function that is automatically executed when an error in machine operation is detected at the machine location. The controller also has a default trap routine that is executed when specific routine does not exist. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314448 | Teleoperation Of Machines Having At Least One Actuated Mechanism And One Machine Controller Comprising A Program Code Including Instructions For Transferring Control Of The Machine From Said Controller To A Remote Control Station - A machine remotely located from a control station has at least one actuated mechanism. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that includes an instruction which when executed transfers control of the machine from the controller to the control station. The program code can have a task frame associated with the predetermined function performed by the machine with the task frame divided into a first set controlled by the controller and a second set controlled from the control station. The system can also have two or more remotely located control stations only one of which can control the machine at a given time. | 11-05-2015 |
20150316111 | BRAKE DRIVE CONTROL DEVICE PROVIDED WITH ABNORMALITY DETECTION FUNCTION - A brake drive control circuit of a servo motor which detects malfunction of a semiconductor circuit at the brake drive control circuit, that is, a brake drive control circuit which connects two semiconductor circuits in series to a brake and uses a voltage detection circuit which detects the presence of voltage which is applied to the brake by brake signals turning the semiconductor circuits on/off so as to detect test pulses in the voltage which is applied to the brake due to test pulses which are included in the brake signals and turn the semiconductor circuits off for instants during an operation for disengaging the brake and detect malfunctions of the semiconductor circuits by the detection of the test pulses. | 11-05-2015 |
20150321346 | Robot - A robot is provided. A measurement unit measures an object in a space. An own-position estimation unit calculates an own position of a mobile unit moving through the space by matching measurement data acquired by the measurement unit with map data representing information about the object in the space. A classification unit acquires class-based measurement data obtained by classifying the measurement data into at least two predetermined classes. A class-based own-position estimation unit estimates an own position of the mobile unit for each of the at least two predetermined classes by matching a class-based map having a position of the objects recorded therein for each class with the class-based measurement data. An integration unit configured to integrate the own positions estimated for the respective at least two predetermined classes. A control unit controls the mobile unit based on information from the integration unit. | 11-12-2015 |
20150323501 | EXTENDED REACH INSPECTION APPARATUS - An extended reach inspection apparatus may include a scanner device and a robotic manipulator arm. The robotic manipulator arm may include a plurality of arm segments including a distal end arm segment and a proximal end arm segment. A movable joint may couple the distal end arm segment to the robotic manipulator arm. A telescoping extension mechanism may be coupled to the distal end arm segment. The scanner device is mounted to the telescoping extension mechanism for moving the scanner device between a retracted position proximate the robotic manipulator arm and an extended position at a distance from the robotic manipulator arm. A control handle may be coupled to the proximal end arm segment of the plurality of arm segments for manipulating the robotic manipulator arm. | 11-12-2015 |
20150336269 | Systems and Methods for Time-Based Parallel Robotic Operation - Example systems and methods may allow for parallel operation of robotic devices within a workcell, such as industrial robots controlled to manufacture an output product. One example method includes receiving ordered sequences of operations for a plurality of corresponding robotic devices, determining time-based sequences of operations for each of the robotic devices, where a time-based sequence of operations indicates positions within the workcell at corresponding timesteps of a global timeline, determining one or more potential collisions involving the robotic devices that would result from parallel execution of the time-based sequences of operations within the workcell, modifying the time-based sequences of operations in order to prevent the one or more potential collisions, and providing instructions for parallel execution of the modified time-based sequences of operations at timesteps of the global timeline by the robotic devices within the workcell. | 11-26-2015 |
20150336270 | SYSTEM, METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND DATA SIGNAL FOR THE REGISTRATION, MONITORING AND CONTROL OF MACHINES AND DEVICES - The present invention provides a method for controlling a robotic device, comprising the steps of, receiving at a computing device at least one command arranged to effect an operation on the robotic device, reviewing the command to determine whether the command is suitable for execution, wherein the command is provided to the device only if the command is suitable for execution. | 11-26-2015 |
20150343636 | ROBOT CONTROLLER INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH AMPLIFIER - A robot controller comprises a control unit which outputs a driving command of a servo motor for robot driving, and an amplifier unit which outputs a driving signal to the servo motor in response to the driving command from the control unit. The control unit and the amplifier unit are mounted in integrally formed printed boards and are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the printed boards. | 12-03-2015 |
20150343638 | ROBOT MODULE - The present disclosure shows a robot module having a cell frame and a robot, wherein the cell frame has a base plate at which the robot is mounted and has at least one cell wall connected to the base plate, and wherein the robot module is equipped with a control module for the robot. The present disclosure furthermore comprises a feed module which is connectable to the robot module. | 12-03-2015 |
20150352720 | ROBOT APPARATUS - A plurality of robot arms are each provided with indication devices that have indicators which indicate operability states of at least one other robot arm different from the robot arm on which the indication device is provided. Alternatively or in addition, the indication devices have indicators which indicate operability states of a respective robot arm upon which the indication devices are provided. Robot control devices which control operations of the robot arms communicate through a LAN to share information regarding the states of the robot arms. Indication drive signals for the indication devices are generated based on states of servo control signals and/or brake control signals for the robot arms. | 12-10-2015 |
20150375391 | TEACHING SYSTEM, ROBOT SYSTEM, AND TEACHING METHOD - A teaching system according to embodiments includes a data acquiring unit and a job generating unit. The data acquiring unit acquires data including an initial attitude of a tool, a final attitude of the tool, a rotation center axis of a handled object, and a rotation angle of the handled object about the rotation center axis, in a robot that performs an operation of holding and rotating the handled object with the tool. Based on the data acquired by the data acquiring unit, the job generating unit generates a job program that operates the actual robot so that the tool is brought into the initial attitude, and then brought into the final attitude after the handled object is rotated by the rotation angle about the rotation center axis. | 12-31-2015 |
20150375395 | ROBOT CLEANER - A robot cleaner including a driving unit configured to move the robot cleaner; a charging unit disposed on an upper surface of the robot cleaner, and configured to wirelessly charge a mobile terminal; and a control unit configured to control the driving unit to move the robot cleaner to a position of the mobile terminal corresponding to a sensed preset signal, control the robot cleaner to execute a wireless charging of the mobile terminal placed on the charging unit according to a charging command, and output a feedback signal when the wireless charging of the mobile terminal is completed. | 12-31-2015 |
20160016311 | Real-Time Determination of Object Metrics for Trajectory Planning - Example systems and methods may be used to determine a trajectory for moving an object using a robotic device. One example method includes determining a plurality of possible trajectories for moving an object with an end effector of a robotic manipulator based on a plurality of possible object measurements. The method may further include causing the robotic manipulator to pick up the object with the end effector. Alter causing the robotic manipulator to pick up the object with the end effector, the method may also include receiving sensor data from one or more sensors indicative of one or more measurements of the object. Based on the received sensor data, the method may additionally include selecting a trajectory for moving the object from the plurality of possible trajectories. The method may further include causing the robotic manipulator to move the object through the selected trajectory. | 01-21-2016 |
20160016314 | Method And Apparatus For Controlling A Robot - A method for controlling a robot in at least one pose of the robot wherein the robot can be operated in either a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation the robot can be moved by manually applying a guiding force to the robot. The method includes determining a distance of a state variable of the robot from a first limit and then triggering a safety response when the distance satisfies a first condition and the robot is operating in the first mode of operation. When the robot is operating in the second mode of operation and the distance satisfies the first condition, the method includes not triggering the safety response, and motorically applying a positioning force to the robot in dependence on the determined distance so that the distance can be reduced when the robot is unobstructed. | 01-21-2016 |
20160052141 | Method and Apparatus For Controlling Operations Of Robot - A robot, such an industrial robot, has an arm. The arm has a plurality of rotation members, a plurality of joints each rotatably and mutually connecting adjacent two rotation members, and a plurality of electric servo motors respectively driving the joints. In this robot, every operation cycle, an angular speed is calculated at which to drive each servo motor, and a speed of a monitoring portion set in each rotation member is calculated. It is then determined whether or not the speed at the monitoring portion is equal to or lower than a reference speed. When it is determined that the speed at the monitoring portion is over the reference speed, the angular speed of each servo motor is instructed to reduce such that the speed at each monitoring portion becomes the reference speed or lower. The servo motors are driven at the angular speed that has been reduced. | 02-25-2016 |
20160052574 | Natural Pitch and Roll - A control system may receive a first plurality of measurements indicative of respective joint angles corresponding to a plurality of sensors connected to a robot. The robot may include a body and a plurality of jointed limbs connected to the body associated with respective properties. The control system may also receive a body orientation measurement indicative of an orientation of the body of the robot. The control system may further determine a relationship between the first plurality of measurements and the body orientation measurement based on the properties associated with the jointed limbs of the robot. Additionally, the control system may estimate an aggregate orientation of the robot based on the first plurality of measurements, the body orientation measurement, and the determined relationship. Further, the control system may provide instructions to control at least one jointed limb of the robot based on the estimated aggregate orientation of the robot. | 02-25-2016 |
20160075013 | POSITIONING CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling the positioning of an object having a specified point, a first limiter establishes a movable range of the specified point of the object, and limits movement of the specified point of the object within the movable range. The movable range includes a line connecting the position of the specified point of the object and a target position for the specified point of the object. A second limiter limits change of a specified orientation of the object from increasing an angular difference between the specified orientation of the object a target orientation for the specified orientation of the object. | 03-17-2016 |
20160089785 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR MOBILE BODY - A control device for a mobile body enabling a smooth transition operation between a first mode and a second mode is provided. A change amount of a center of gravity component at a prescribed time is expressed by using an inertial force-dependent manipulated variable component, which changes in accordance with an instantaneous value (d | 03-31-2016 |
20160096268 | DEVICE WITH IMPROVED ACTUATING MEANS AND METHOD FOR USE THEREOF - A device comprising a main body, an arm assembly comprising first arm member, a first joint, a second arm member, a second joint, orientation control means for adjusting the orientation of the arm members and/or joints of the arm assembly relative to the main body, one or more passive actuating means for counterbalancing at least a part of the weight of the arm assembly, wherein an adjustable lever mechanism is arranged between the main body and the arm assembly, drive means configured for adjusting the lever arm, one or more orientation sensors for determining the orientation of the arm members and/or joints of the arm assembly relative to the main body, and lever arm control means for adjusting the lever arm of the adjustable lever mechanism with the drive means. The invention further relates to a method of adjusting a lever arm of such a device. | 04-07-2016 |
20160121480 | MACHINING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR MAKING INSTRUCTION, METHOD FOR PRODUCING WORKPIECE, CONTROLLER, AND METHOD FOR CONTROL - A machining apparatus includes a robot and a controller. A target acquirer acquires a target value of a position and posture of a distal end of the robot. With a movement target value of a distance adjustment actuator of the robot being fixed, a first calculator calculates movement target values of first to third actuators and posture adjustment actuators of the robot corresponding to the target value of the position and posture. A determiner determines whether a movement target value of one of the actuators is within an allowable range. When out of the allowable range, a second calculator calculates the movement target values of the actuators corresponding to the target value of the position and posture to cause the movement target value to fall within the range. An outputter controls the actuators in accordance with the respective movement target values. | 05-05-2016 |
20160151909 | RECONFIGURABLE ROBOTIC SYSTEM | 06-02-2016 |
20160167225 | System, Method, and Apparatus for Refurbishment of Robotically Controlled Devices | 06-16-2016 |
20160176050 | OVERRIDE-BASED, PREDICTIVE SPEED CAPPING | 06-23-2016 |
20160184987 | ARTICULATED ROBOT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An articulated robot comprises a control unit including: a track information storage unit which stores track information corresponding to a combination of a start point and an end point; a setting unit which sets a current position and a target position of an arm distal end as the start point and the end point; and an operation command generation unit which generates an operation command based on track information corresponding to a combination of the set start point and the set end point (corresponding track information). If the corresponding track information is not stored but related track information corresponding to a combination of a start point and an end point having a predetermined relationship with a combination of the set start point and the set end point is stored in the track information storage unit, the operation command generation unit generates the operation command based on the related track information. | 06-30-2016 |
20160195858 | Home Automation Device, Method for Automating At Least Two Home Appliances with a Different Data Communication Protocol with a Home Automation Device, and Combination of a First and Second Home Appliance and a Home Automation Device | 07-07-2016 |
20160374767 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MOVING A PLURALITY OF ARTICULATED INSTRUMENTS IN TANDEM BACK TOWARDS AN ENTRY GUIDE - A medical robotic system includes articulated instruments extending out of a distal end of an entry guide. Prior to pivoting the entry guide to re-orient it and the instruments, the instruments are moved in tandem back towards the entry guide after a delay. Haptic cues and velocity limits are provided to assist the operator in the retraction of the instruments. After retraction, the entry guide may then be pivoted without concern that the instruments will harm patient anatomy. The movement of the instruments in tandem back towards the entry guide may also occur through coupled control modes while the entry guide is held in a fixed position and orientation. | 12-29-2016 |
20180021945 | UNDERWATER MANIPULATOR ARM ROBOT | 01-25-2018 |
20180021946 | TOOLING ARM | 01-25-2018 |
20190143504 | DEVICE FOR CALCULATING STOWAGE PATTERN AND ROBOT CONTROLLER | 05-16-2019 |
20190143507 | GRIPPING METHOD, GRIPPING SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM | 05-16-2019 |
20190143513 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A ROBOTIC MANIPULATOR OR ASSOCIATED TOOL | 05-16-2019 |
20190143517 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLISION-FREE TRAJECTORY PLANNING IN HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION THROUGH HAND MOVEMENT PREDICTION FROM VISION | 05-16-2019 |
20190143519 | Method for Controlling a Robot Manipulator for Screwing in a Screw | 05-16-2019 |
20190143528 | AUTONOMOUSLY ACTING ROBOT THAT UNDERSTANDS PHYSICAL CONTACT | 05-16-2019 |
20190143529 | INTERACTIVE MOBILE PLATFORM CONTROL SYSTEM | 05-16-2019 |
20190143530 | PROCESSING DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD | 05-16-2019 |
20220134547 | Flux Sensing System - A flux sensing system includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory and at least one sensing device, the memory storing a plurality of capabilities and a plurality of semantic fluxes associated with the plurality of capabilities. Based on inputs from the at least one sensing device, the computing system is configured to determine an active servicing capability associated with a first semantic flux and/or a consumer interest associated with a second semantic flux and match the interest with the capability based on semantic drift inference. | 05-05-2022 |
20220134553 | TORQUE CONTROL OF A MOTOR - A robot system includes: a robot comprising a joint driven by a motor; and a circuitry configured to: execute position control of the motor based on position commands; store torque commands generated based on the position commands during execution of the position control of the motor; and execute torque control of the motor based on the stored torque commands. | 05-05-2022 |
20220134562 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF SERVICING EQUIPMENT - Systems and methods of servicing engines including a method of servicing an engine, the method including navigating at least a portion of a robotic assembly to a location associated with the engine; applying, from the robotic assembly, a medium to one or more adjustable components of the engine while the engine is at an elevated temperature; waiting a duration of time; and with the robotic assembly, operating on the one or more adjustable components. | 05-05-2022 |
20220134577 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, ROBOT-MOUNTED TRANSFER DEVICE, AND SYSTEM - A system includes a machine tool | 05-05-2022 |
20220135346 | ROBOTIC TOOLS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING THE SAME - A system and method for operating a robotic system to use two or more tools to manipulate objects. The robotic system may coordinate planning processes and/or plan implementations based on grouping the objects. | 05-05-2022 |
20220135347 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED PACKAGING AND PROCESSING FOR SHIPPING WITH CONTAINER ALIGNMENT - An automated packing system is disclosed for placing a plurality of objects into a shipping container. The system includes a supply bin receiving conveyor for receiving a supply bin at a supply station, a destination container location assessment system for positioning a destination container, a detection system for detecting a plurality of objects within the supply bin responsive to the position of the supply bin on the receiving conveyor as aligned by the alignment system, an object selection system for selecting a selected object from the plurality of objects to be placed into the shipping container, and a programmable motion device for grasping and acquiring the selected object from the plurality of objects at the supply station, and for placing the selected object into the shipping container in a selected orientation. | 05-05-2022 |