| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080249662 | MOBILE APPARATUS, CONTROL DEVICE AND CONTROL PROGRAM - A mobile apparatus or the like capable of moving or acting while surely preventing contact with an object such as a human being, by avoiding the situation where the object inappropriately changes its behavior for the purposes of preventing contact with the mobile apparatus, is provided. According to the robot ( | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080275594 | Apparatus And Method For An Autonomous Robotic System For Performing Activities In A Well - An autonomous robot performs maintenance and repair activities in oil and gas wells, and in pipelines. The robot uses the well and pipeline fluids to provide most of the energy required for its mobility, and to charge a turbine from which it may recharge batteries or power a motor for additional propulsion. A control system of associated systems controls the robot, enabling the robot to share plans and goals, situations, and solution processes with wells, pipelines, and external control systems. The control system includes decision aids in a series of knowledge bases that contain the expertise in appropriate fields to provide intelligent behavior to the control system. The intelligent behavior of the control system enables real time maintenance management of wells and pipelines, through actively collecting information, goal-driven system, reasoning at multiple levels, context sensitive communication, activity performing, and estimation of the operators' intent. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080281469 | Method For Controlling the Walk of Humanoid Robot - The invention relates to a method for controlling walking of humanoid bipedal walking robot. More specifically, the invention comprises steps of designing a zero momentum position (ZMP) of a robot for the ground surface (a); calculating trajectories of a center of gravity (COG) of the robot along with the trajectory of the ZMP (b); calculating an angular velocity of driving motors of two feet, which has the robot walk according to the trajectory of the ZMP (c); and controlling walking of the robot by driving the driving motors according to the angular velocity of the driving motors calculated above. The robot walking control method according to the invention has stability against disturbances. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080300721 | Legged Mobile Robot and Control Program for the Robot - A legged mobile robot which permits improved follow-up of an actual floor reaction force to a desired floor reaction force and which can be stably controlled is provided. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090030551 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A MOBILE ROBOT - A method and a system for operating a mobile robot comprise a range finder for collecting range data of one or more objects in an environment around the robot. A discriminator identifies uniquely identifiable ones of the objects as navigation landmarks. A data storage device stores a reference map of the navigation landmarks based on the collected range data. A data processor establishes a list or sequence of way points for the robot to visit. Each way point is defined with reference to one or more landmarks. A reader reads an optical message at or near one or more way points. A task manager manages a task based on the read optical message. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090088898 | ROBOT CONTROLLER FOR HALTING A ROBOT BASED ON THE SPEED OF A ROBOT HAND PORTION - A robot includes a traveling rail supported by struts, and a robot body attached to a slider that slides on the traveling rail. A robot controller comprises speed calculation means for calculating moving speeds of the robot hand portion on the coordinate axes of a rectangular coordinate system set for the robot controller; comparator means for comparing the moving speeds on the coordinate axes calculated by the speed calculation means with threshold values on the coordinate axes of the rectangular coordinate system, respectively; and halting means for halting the robot in case at least any one of the moving speeds is higher than the corresponding threshold value. The strength required for the struts can be lowered without limiting the dynamic capability of the robot. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090099690 | METHOD FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED MEASUREMENT OF MEASURABLE OBJECTS - The invention relates to a method for carrying out a robot-assisted measurement of measurable objects. The paths of a sensor (S) are defined and transmitted to a robot co-ordinate system. The actual paths of the sensor (S) guided on the robot are recorded. A plurality of measurable objects ( | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090099691 | COOKING ASSISTANCE ROBOT AND COOKING ASSISTANCE METHOD - It is aimed to provide a cooking assistance robot and a cooking assistance method capable of efficient mixing, with which ingredients are unlikely to be unevenly heated. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090125146 | Method of and Apparatus for Automated Path Learning - A robot having a force sensor and a tool fixture for operating on a workpiece that may have a complex surface contour is programmed by an operator first teaching the robot by a suitable technique such as lead through teaching a few gross points of the contour. These points, known as guiding points, are used to generate a program to be followed by the robot under the control of the robot controller and using force control during which the robot finalizes the guiding points and teaches one or more points on the contour intermediate adjacent guiding points. The controller or other computing device uses the points so taught to generate the path the robot tool fixture will follow when the tool is to operate on the workpiece. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090149992 | ROBOT - A robot that is capable of traveling while moving an object such that the object and the robot itself will not step out of a predetermined area is provided. If a traveling requirement that the robot and the object remain within a pathway area is not met, then an action scheme of the robot is corrected so as to meet the traveling requirement. Then, the robot travels while moving the object according to the corrected action scheme, thus enabling the robot to travel while moving the object such that both the object and the robot do not step out of the pathway area. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090192649 | ROBOT WITH PERSONALITY CHARACTERS AND ROBOT BEHAVIOR CONTROL METHOD - The present invention relates to a robot with personality characters. The robot communicates with another robot within a predetermined coverage area. The robot stores at least one personality attribute of the robot, at least one personality attribute of another robot, at least one predetermined action, and a relationship among the personality attribute of the robot, the personality attribute of another robot and the predetermined action. The present invention also provides a behavior control method adapted for the robot. In the method, the robot detects a second robot within the predetermined area to obtain the personality attribute of the second robot, fetches the personality attribute of the robot, and performs the predetermined action according to the relationship. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090222135 | METHOD FOR TEACHING CARRIER MEANS, STORAGE MEDIUM AND SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS - The present invention is intended to achieve more accurate and facilitated positioning of a carrier onto a table, in a substrate processing apparatus configured for placing the carrier storing multiple sheets of wafers therein, on the table, by using a carrier arm. Before the carrier is actually carried by the carrier arm, a carrier jig having the same shape as the carrier is held by a holding part provided to the carrier arm. The carrier jig is provided with a camera, such that a central position of a region of an image taken by the camera will be coincident with a central position of an opening formed in the table, if the carrier jig is accurately located in an ideal position above the table. First, the carrier arm is actuated to move the holding part of the carrier arm to a preset lowering start position. Then, the image of the region including the opening is taken by the camera. Thereafter, a distance between the central position of the opening and the central position of the region of the image taken by the camera is calculated, so as to obtain an amount of a positional shift, in a horizontal direction, between the preset lowering start position and the ideal position. Consequently, the lowering start position of the holding part is corrected, by using the so-obtained amount of the positional shift as a correction value. Finally, the carrier is placed on the table, based on the so-corrected lowering start position. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090271037 | METHOD OF GENERATING A WALKING PATTERN FOR A HUMANOID ROBOT - The present invention may provide a method of generating a walking pattern for a humanoid robot. The method of generating the walking pattern for the humanoid includes determining a position of a next Zero Moment Point (ZMP) along a moving direction of the humanoid robot, obtaining a first condition for generating a walking pattern based on the determined ZMP by using a periodic step module, generating trajectories of a ZMP and a Center of Mass (CoM) in an initial step based on the first condition and an initial value obtained from an initial state of the humanoid robot by using a transient step module, generating trajectories of a ZMP and a CoM in a steady step based on the ZMP of two steps by using a steady step module, and generating trajectories of a ZMP and a CoM in a final step by using the transient step module. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090312869 | ROBOT, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090319082 | ROBOT AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING WALKING THEREOF - A method of controlling walking a biped robot to generate a walking pattern maximally similar to that of a human includes generating a walking pattern, calculating a walking pattern similarity corresponding to the walking pattern, and comparing the walking pattern similarity with a predetermined reference pattern similarity, and changing the walking pattern based on a result of the comparison. When the robot walks, a knee is maximally stretched and a horizontal movement of a waist is minimized such that the walking pattern of the robot is maximally similar to that of a human, thus enhancing an affinity for a human being and increasing energy efficiency. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100030379 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN AUTONOMOUS DEVICE - The invention describes a method of controlling an autonomous device ( | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100049365 | Method and System for Multi-Mode Coverage For An Autonomous Robot - A control system for a mobile robot ( | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100057255 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOTION OF A ROBOT BASED UPON EVOLUTIONARY COMPUTATION AND IMITATION LEARNING - The present invention relates to a method for controlling motions of a robot using evolutionary computation, the method including constructing a database by collecting patterns of human motion, evolving the database using a genetic operator that is based upon PCA and dynamics-based optimization, and creating motion of a robot in real time using the evolved database. According to the present invention, with the evolved database, a robot may learn human motions and control optimized motions in real time. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100063626 | DISTRIBUTED KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR VEHICULAR LOCALIZATION AND WORK-SITE MANAGEMENT - The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling a vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a vehicle is comprised of a machine controller, a steering system, a propulsion system, a braking system, a sensor system, and a knowledge base used by the machine controller. The machine controller identifies a dynamic condition and sends commands to the steering system, the propulsion system, and the braking system to move the vehicle. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100063627 | AUTONOMOUS MOBILE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MOBILITY - When an autonomous mobile apparatus moves autonomously along near a master and there is an object in the surrounding environment recognized by a camera and a communication device and the like, a danger level detecting portion detects a danger level of the object to the master, and an actuator controlling portion and an electric motor move the autonomous mobile apparatus based on the danger level. As a result, the autonomous mobile apparatus moves autonomously along near the master, as well as detects the danger level to the master and moves based on the danger level. Accordingly, the autonomous mobile apparatus can move in a manner so as to ensure the safety of the master taking this danger level into account. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100179690 | PROCESS CONTROL, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED ADAPTATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS OF AT LEAST ONE HANDLING DEVICE - A system for automated adaption of a process parameter of a handling device includes a supervision device configured to selectively monitor at least one process parameter and/or to adapt the at least one process parameter of the handling device in an automated manner based on specifications and/or the environment and/or in a rule-based manner in interaction with a control/regulation device, wherein environment/safety-specific specifications and/or regulations are complied with and/or implemented irrespective of the type of a respective working process, wherein the system is configured to interact with the control/regulation device configured to monitor, control and/or regulate the handling device. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100222925 | Robot control apparatus - In a robot control apparatus mounted on a mobile robot, movement of a human existing in front of the robot is detected, and the robot is moved in association with the movement of the human to thereby obtain path teaching data. When the robot moves autonomously according to the path teaching data, a robot movable area with respect to the path teaching data is calculated from positions of the ceiling and walls of the robot moving space or positions of obstacles detected by a surrounding object detection unit, whereby a moving path for autonomous movement is generated. The robot is controlled to move autonomously by a drive of a drive unit according to the moving path for autonomous movement. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222926 | VIRTUAL WALL SYSTEM - A virtual wall system is composed of a mobile robotic device and at least one virtual wall generator. The mobile robotic device includes a steering unit for steering itself toward at least one direction, a steering control unit connected with the steering unit for controlling the steering of the steering unit, and at least one sonic receiver mounted to one side thereof for receiving sonic signals. The at least one virtual wall system generator is placed on a planar surface where the mobile robotic device moves, having a sonic emitter and a taper-shaped hole facing sidewards. The taper-shaped hole increasingly expands from inside out. The sonic emitter is to emit sonic signals that are directive subject to the taper-shaped hole. The at least one virtual wall system generator further includes a power module as power supply. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100228394 | MOBILE ROBOT AND CONTROLLING METHOD OF THE SAME - Disclosed is a mobile robot and a controlling method of the same. An entire movement region is divided into a plurality of regions, and a partial map is gradually made by using feature points of a plurality of images of the divided regions. Then, the map is compensated into a closed curved line, thereby making an entire map. Furthermore, when the mobile robot is positioned at a boundary of neighboring regions of the cleaning region, the boundary where a closed curved line is formed, the mobile robot compensates for its position based on a matching result between feature points included in the map, and feature points extracted from images captured during a cleaning process. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100268384 | ROBOT CONFINEMENT - A robot confinement system includes a portable housing and a mobile robot. The portable housing includes a first detector operable to detect a presence of the mobile robot in a field of detection, and an emitter operable to emit a first signal when the first detector detects the presence of the mobile robot in the field of detection. The mobile robot is operable to move on a surface to clean the surface and includes a controller operable to control a movement path of the mobile robot on the surface. The mobile robot further includes a second detector operable to detect the first signal emitted by the portable housing. The controller of the mobile robot is operable to change the movement path of the mobile robot in response to detection of the first signal. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100280660 | METHOD AND AUTOMATED MANIPULATOR FOR MOVING A PERSON WITH THE MANIPULATOR - A method to move a person with an automated manipulator, in particular a robot, includes moving a rider receptacle for a person with the manipulator, and determining an acceleration variable of this movement before and/or during the execution of this movement and comparing the acceleration variable with a predetermined acceleration variable and/or adapting the movement to a predetermined acceleration variable in the event that the determined acceleration variable deviates from the predetermined acceleration variable, and/or a predetermined acceleration variable is used that includes different permissible acceleration durations that are respectively associated with a permissible acceleration value. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100286825 | MOBILE ROBOT AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are a mobile robot and a controlling method thereof. The mobile robot comprises: a case; and a sensor unit having two or more sending portions and two or more receiving portions arranged on an outer surface of the case separately and alternately. The plurality of sending portions and receiving portions are arranged in an alternating manner, thereby having a directivity. Also, since signals received through the receiving portions are judged based on a reference value, an area unallowable to be detected for an obstacle sensing is minimized, which allows an obstacle to be detected more accurately. When the obstacle corresponds to a side wall on the basis of a moving path of the mobile robot, a distance between the side wall and the mobile robot is calculated based on signals received by the receiving portion closest to the side wall. Accordingly, the mobile robot can move with maintaining a constant distance from the side wall. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100292839 | Mobile robot system and method of controlling the same - Disclosed herein are a mobile robot system to restrict a traveling region of a robot and to guide the robot to another region, and a method of controlling the same. Only when a remote controller reception module of a beacon senses a signal transmitted from a mobile robot, the sensed result is reported to the mobile robot in the form of a response signal. In addition, the Field-of-View (FOV) of the remote control reception module is restricted by a directivity receiver. Only when the signal transmitted from the mobile robot is sensed within the restricted FOV, the sensed result is reported to the mobile robot. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100305755 | DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM OR ROBOT WITH DYNAMIC ATTENTION MODULE - The invention relates to a vision-based attention system, comprising:
| 12-02-2010 |
| 20100318223 | ROBOT, CARRIAGE DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD USING INERTIA SENSOR - A robot includes: an arm with one end pivotally supported; a driving source that pivots the arm; an angle sensor that detects a pivot angle of the driving source and outputs pivot angle information of the driving source; an inertia sensor that is attached to the arm and outputs inertial force information of an inertial force acting on the arm; a control command generating unit that outputs a control command defining rotational operation of the arm; a control conversion determining unit that determines whether the inertial force information is used or not when the driving source is controlled to control operation of the arm; and an arm operation control unit that performs a first control based on the control command, the pivot angle information, and the inertial force information, to control the driving source and thus control the operation of the arm, if the control conversion determining unit determines to use the inertial force information, and performs a second control which is different from the first control, based on the control command and the pivot angle information, to control the driving source and thus control the operation of the arm, if the control conversion determining unit determines not to use the inertial force information. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110004342 | Trainable Multi-Mode Floor Cleaning Device - A floor cleaning device that is manually trainable for subsequent automatic operation. Prior to automatic operation, a user trains the cleaning device by manually manipulating the device through one or more desired cleaning paths. After training of the device, the device is configured to automatically initiate subsequent cleaning operations in accordance with the trained routine(s). Preferably, the training routine includes user specification of one of a number of cleaning modalities that are supported by the flooring cleaning device. In addition to automatic navigation, the floor cleaning device is configured to initiate a desired cleaning modality as a function of the device's position with respect to one or more of the trained routine(s). | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110004343 | POSITION CONTROL METHOD AND ROBOT - A position control method for controlling a position of a movable portion, includes: performing control of allowing the movable portion to approach a predetermined position by moving the movable portion; and performing control of moving the movable portion to the predetermined position by moving the movable portion and detecting a relative position of the movable portion with respect to the predetermined position by using an imaging unit. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110010009 | ACTION TEACHING SYSTEM AND ACTION TEACHING METHOD - To make it possible to teach a grasping action for a work object whose shape and 3D position are unknown to a robot by an intuitive and simple input operation by an operator. a captured image of the working space is displayed on a display device; (b) an operation in which a recognition area including a part of a work object to be grasped by a hand is specified in two dimensions on an image of the work object displayed on the display device is received; (c) an operation in which a primitive shape model to be applied to the part to be grasped is specified from among a plurality of primitive shape models; (d) a parameter group to specify the shape, position, and posture of the primitive shape model is determined by fitting the specified primitive shape model onto 3D position data of a space corresponding to the recognition area; (e) a grasping pattern applicable to grasping of the work object is selected by searching a database in which grasping patterns applicable by a hand to primitive shape models are stored. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110040407 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING HUMANOID ROBOT - Disclosed is a humanoid robot apparatus, method and computer-readable medium thereof related to lifting and holding a heavy object having a weight unknown to the robot, by measuring an external force acting on the robot. Linear momentum and rotational momentum are compensated for stepwise according to the degree of stability of the robot which is determined based on the measured external force. Accordingly, the robot stably lifts and holds the object without losing its balance. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110054686 | Apparatus and method detecting a robot slip - Disclosed is an apparatus and method for detecting slip of a robot. The robot periodically repeats a pattern movement in the order of a uniform motion, a decelerating motion, and an accelerating motion, or in the order of a uniform motion, an accelerating motion, and a deceleration motion. The occurrence of slip of the robot performing a pattern movement is determined by comparing a first acceleration of the robot measured by an acceleration sensor and a second acceleration of the robot measured by an encoder. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110054687 | Robotic Arm - A robotic arm is provided, for example for inspecting a rotary machine such as a gas turbine engine. The arm has a plurality of groups of links having articulations therebetween for movement in a first plane, the groups having articulations with respect to each other for movement in a second orthogonal plane. Thus the arm can move around objects such as aerofoils in the engine, and also move up or down to remain close to the rotary surface of the machine. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110066284 | METHODS OF DETERMINING COMPLETE SENSOR REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY - A method of determining complete sensor requirements for autonomous mobility of an autonomous system includes computing a time variation of each behavior of a set of behaviors of the autonomous system, determining mobility sensitivity to each behavior of the autonomous system, and computing a change in mobility based upon the mobility sensitivity to each behavior and the time variation of each behavior. The method further includes determining the complete sensor requirements of the autonomous system through analysis of the relative magnitude of the change in mobility, the mobility sensitivity to each behavior, and the time variation of each behavior, wherein the relative magnitude of the change in mobility, the mobility sensitivity to each behavior, and the time variation of each behavior are characteristic of the stability of the autonomous system. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110077773 | ENVIRONMENTALLY-ADAPTIVE SHAPES WITH A MULTI-AGENT SYSTEM - A modular robot having a plurality of agents for performing movements is provided. Each of these agents includes a computation component for performing computations needed in performing selective movements of the modular robot structure. A communication component is coupled to the computation module. The communication component allows each agent to communicate with its immediate physically-connected neighbor. An actuation component performs actuations associated with movements of the modular robot. A sensing component measures positional information that allows the agent to determine its respective environment. Once a defined shape or a desired task has been specified, each of the agents and their respective component coordinate their respective movements until the defined shape is reached. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110077774 | ROBOT CLEANER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A ROBOT CLEANER - The present invention relates to a robot cleaner system and a method of controlling a robot cleaner. When cleaning start information is received, a control unit ( | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110082584 | ROBOTIC DEVICE FOR INSERTING OR REMOVING ROD-LIKE ELEMENTS - The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling a robotic device for inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking bars, serving for storing products, like sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The method comprises the steps of moving the storage frame into the operating range of the robotic device, picking up a rod-like element on which a number of sausage like products are hung up by the robotic device, and inserting or removing the rod-like element into or from the storage frame by the robotic device. Moreover, there is provided a storage frame with at least a machine readable label from which information regarding the storage device are read out from the machine readable label, which is attached to the storage device, at least before the storage frame is moved into the operating range of the robotic device. Said information are sent to the control unit of the robotic device for controlling the movement of the robotic device while inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from the storage frame. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110106310 | ROBOT AND TASK EXECUTION SYSTEM - A robot and so forth capable of avoiding the mutual interference of a plurality of active sensors mounted on the other robots so that a task may be smoothly executed by each of a plurality of robots are provided. If an active sensor mounted on each of the plurality of robots (R) may mutually interfere with each other and if the degree of contribution of the active sensor to a task being executed by the self robot (R) is lower than that of the active sensor of the other robot (R) to the task being executed by the other robot (R), the sensitivity of the active sensor of the self robot (R) is decreased. As a result thereof, the mutual interference of the active sensors can be avoided, and the robot (R) can be prevented from causing trouble to the task. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110106311 | INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An apparatus executes movement control that causes a robot arm equipped with a camera to move up to an object, thereby enabling to cause a manipulator to move to an object quickly, accurately, and stably as a control system. Specifically, when the object is not detected, the apparatus executes teaching playback control to cause a manipulator to move along a path up to a target position set in advance based on a position of the object (Step S | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110137461 | Mobile robot and method for moving mobile robot - Disclosed is a mobile robot and method generating a path of the mobile robot, capable of quickly moving the mobile robot to a location at which the mobile robot is able to detect a docking station. A first configuration space map is built by expanding an obstacle area including an obstacle by a first thickness, and a second configuration space map is built by expanding the obstacle area by a second thickness which is less than the first thickness. A path is generated by sequentially using the first configuration space map and the second configuration space map. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110137462 | MOBILE ROBOT AND TRAVELLING METHOD FOR THE SAME - This mobile unit suppresses lateral vibration produced when the mobile unit passes over a step. A stabilizer according to the present invention predicts contact timing at which the mobile unit makes contact with a step, which may be a bump or pit, using sensor information or map information, shifts the center of gravity of the mobile unit laterally by controlling actuators, and shits the center of gravity laterally for the next step after detecting that the mobile unit has passed over the previous step. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110144805 | NAVIGATIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A ROBOTIC DEVICE - A navigational control system for altering movement activity of a robotic device operating in a defined working area, comprising a transmitting subsystem integrated in combination with the robotic device, the transmitting subsystem comprising means for emitting a number of directed beams, each directed beam having a predetermined emission pattern, and a receiving subsystem functioning as a base station that includes a navigation control algorithm that defines a predetermined triggering event for the navigational control system and a set of detection units positioned within the defined working area in a known spaced-apart relationship, the set of detection units being configured and operative to detect one or more of the directed beams emitted by the transmitting system; and wherein the receiving subsystem is configured and operative to process the one or more detected directed beams under the control of the navigational control algorithm to determine whether the predetermined triggering event has occurred, and, if the predetermined triggering event has occurred transmit a control signal to the robotic device, wherein reception of the control signal by the robotic device causes the robotic device to implement a prescribed conduct that alters the movement activity of the robotic device. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110166705 | AUTONOMOUS CUTTING ELEMENT FOR SCULPTING GRASS - An apparatus comprises a vehicle, a sensing unit, and a control unit. The vehicle is movable in a path and has a first number of cutting elements. The sensing unit detects an obstacle in the path. The control unit is connected to the first number of cutting elements and is configured to autonomously adjust a height of a second number of cutting elements of the first number of cutting elements in response to the sensing unit detecting the obstacle in the path. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110172819 | MANIPULATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A manipulator, and a control method thereof, calculates a degree of freedom (DOF) used to prevent collision with an obstacle in consideration of an order of priority of DOFs for an operation and collision avoidance contribution. The manipulator judges whether there is danger of collision of the manipulator with an obstacle, judges whether or not there is at least one operating DOF capable of avoiding collision with the obstacle among the plurality of operating DOFs, upon judging that there is danger of collision with the obstacle, and avoids collision with the obstacle using at least one operating DOF having the lowest priority while performing the operation among the at least one operating DOF capable of avoiding collision with the obstacle, upon judging that there is the at least one operating DOF capable of avoiding collision with the obstacle. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110178635 | ICE MITIGATING ROBOT - An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a slippery material, such as ice, on a surface and for taking action to mitigate the potential hazard presented by such material automatically with little or no human intervention. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, a mobile machine, such as a robot, is controlled to move automatically across a surface along a path. The mobile machine automatically detects for the presence of a slippery material on the surface as it traverses the surface. The mobile machine automatically takes an action to mitigate the slippery material in response to the detection of the slippery material on the surface. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178636 | HUMANOID ROBOT AND WALKING CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed herein are a humanoid robot that compensates for a zero moment point (ZMP) error during finite state machine (FSM)-based walking to achieve stable walking and a walking control method thereof. The humanoid robot compensates for a joint position trajectory command or a joint torque command using compensation values calculated based on situations divided according to the position of a calculated ZMP and the position of a measured ZMP in a stable region of the robot. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110190931 | PHEROMONE FOR ROBOTIC BOUNDARY - A method for regenerating a boundary of an area for containing a mobile machine is provided. An emitter is detected in an area designated to contain the mobile machine. In response to detecting the emitter, a function is performed. In addition, the emitter is reapplied on a predetermined time interval basis over an existing detected emitter to minimize deterioration of a strength of the emitter due to time and environmental factors. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110208356 | ROBOT HAVING LEARNING CONTROL FUNCTION - A robot having a learning control function is disclosed. The robot includes a robot mechanism unit with a sensor on a part to be positionally controlled and a control unit for controlling the operation of the robot mechanism unit. The control unit includes a normal control unit for controlling the operation of the robot mechanism unit, and a learning control unit for operating the robot mechanism unit according to a task program and carrying out the learning to calculate the learning correction amount in order that position of the part of the robot mechanism unit to be controlled which is detected by the sensor approaches a target trajectory or a target position assigned for the normal control unit. The learning control unit calculates the maximum speed override that can be set with in the learning operation, and carries out the learning to calculate the learning correction amount while increasing the speed override a plurality of times until the maximum speed override is reached. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110213494 | GAIT GENERATING DEVICE OF LEGGED MOBILE ROBOT - A gait generating device of a legged mobile robot uses virtual surfaces to approximate a plurality of surfaces to be contacted in an operating environment of a robot, and determines the provisional values of the required virtual surface translational forces to be applied from the virtual surfaces to the robot in order to implement a translational motion of a desired motion of the entire robot. Further, to implement a rotational motion of the desired motion of the entire robot, the gait generating device determines moment compensation amounts to be combined with the provisional values of the required virtual surface translational forces and then determines the desired external forces to be applied from the surfaces to be contacted to the robot and the desired external force action points on the basis of the combinations of the provisional values of the required virtual surface translational forces and the moment compensation amounts. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110224824 | ROBOT LOCALIZATION SYSTEM - A robot localization system is provided. The robot localization includes a robot, which moves within a predetermined space and performs predetermined tasks, and a docking station corresponding to a home position of the robot. The docking station includes a first transmitting unit, which transmits a sound wave to detect a position of the robot; and a second transmitting unit, which transmits a synchronizing signal right when the sound wave is transmitted. The robot includes a first receiving unit, which comprises at least two sound sensors receiving the sound wave incident onto the robot; a second receiving unit, which receives the synchronizing signal incident onto the robot; a distance calculation unit, which calculates a distance between the first transmitting unit and the first receiving unit using a difference between an instant of time when the synchronizing signal is received and an instant of time when the sound wave is received; and an incident angle calculation unit, which calculates an incident angle of the sound wave onto the robot using a difference between receiving times of the sound wave in the at least two sound sensors comprised in the first receiving unit. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110231018 | CONTROL APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM - Provided is a control apparatus comprising an executing unit for allowing a movable body to perform a predetermined process, a storage unit for storing an environment map of a movable area of the movable body, a detection unit for detecting information on the surroundings of the movable body, an update unit for updating the environment map based on the information on the surroundings of the movable body, which is detected by the detection unit, and an acquisition unit for acquiring instruction information representing an instruction of a user according to user input, wherein the executing unit allows the movable body to perform the process based on the instruction information with reference to the environment map, and the update unit updates the environment map based on the instruction information and the process performed by the movable body based on the instruction information. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110238213 | GRIPPING JUDGMENT APPARATUS AND GRIPPING JUDGMENT METHOD - There is provided a gripping judgment apparatus including a plan unit that generates a target orbit for moving a gripping unit in a state in which an object as a gripping target is gripped by the gripping unit, an observation unit that measures movement of the gripping unit driven based on the target orbit, a gripping state judgment unit that judges whether or not an object as a gripping target is grippable based on a target value of the gripping unit derived from the target orbit and an actual measured value measured by the observation unit, and a gripping state change unit that changes a gripping state of an object gripped by the gripping unit based on a judgment result obtained by the gripping state judgment unit. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110264266 | Robot safety system and a method - A robot safety system configured to protect humans in the vicinity of a working robot ( | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110301756 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR LEGGED MOBILE ROBOT - In a legged mobile robot | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120010747 | ROBOT, CONTROL DEVICE FOR ROBOT, AND CONTROL METHOD OF ROBOT - A robot is provided with a multi-joint robot arm, an external force detection unit that is installed in the arm, and detects an external force, a joint movable-state calculation unit that calculates a movable state of a joint of the arm, an external force conversion unit which, based on the movable state calculated by the joint movable-state calculation unit, converts the external force detected by the external force detection unit to a converted external force, and a control unit that controls the arm based on the converted external force so as to regulate the operation of the arm. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120022688 | AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIC LIFE FORM - A robotic life form simulates a live creature responsive to a changing environment sensed by the robot, and has a robotic body that is articulated for motion around an upright axis and supported by at least two legs, each having at least two joints. The neck of the body terminates in a head provided with eyes and a mouth, and, in the illustrated creature, has a tail. Internal and external input sensors are located on the robotic body and responsive to touch, sound and lighting conditions, motion, food, temperature, voice commands, time of day, and obstacles and hazards, and include a head touch sensor, a plurality of touch sensors extending along a torso of the body, and a plurality of touch sensors on the feet. Actuators responsive to the input sensors control the eyes of the robot, opening and closing of its mouth, movement of the head, movement of the neck relative to the torso, and relative movements of the front and rear sections of the torso to cause the torso to pivot and twist and thereby provide lifelike responses to the sensed conditions. Drive index levels in accordance with priority criteria selected from a plurality of animation groups determine the drive index levels, and servo actuators associated with the body are responsive to dominant drive indexes causing the robot to execute animations resulting therefrom. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120029697 | ROBOTIC TRANSPORTATION DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - A robotic transportation device may include a device body, two docking arms, and a controller module. The device body may include at least one motorized wheel, and the two docking arms may include an adjustable wheel locking device. The two docking arms may extend horizontally from the device body and may be adjustable along first and second directions. The adjustable wheel locking devices comprise two adjustable wheel stops extending laterally from the docking arm. The controller module may cause the robotic transportation device to autonomously approach a target device, detect a device type, and adjust a position of the two docking arms and the two wheel stops in accordance with the device type. The controller module may move each adjustable wheel locking device under a target wheel of the target device to lock and lift the target wheels, and cause the robotic transportation device to autonomously transport the target device. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029698 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND MEDIUM FOR ESTIMATING POSE OF MOBILE ROBOT USING PARTICLE FILTER - Disclosed is a method, apparatus, and medium for estimating a pose of a moving robot using a particle filter. A method for estimating a pose of a moving robot using a particle filter according to an embodiment of the invention includes a detecting a change in pose of the mobile robot and calculating a pose of the current particle by applying the detected change in pose to the previous particle, predicting the probability of the pose of the current particle and obtaining a weight of the current particle on the basis of range data obtained by a sensor and map information, resampling the current particle on the basis of the weight, and adjusting the weight in consideration of an error of the sensor. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120095596 | MODULAR APPARATUSES - The present disclosure introduces modular apparatuses for mechanical devices. In one embodiment, a chain joint is described. The chain joint may include a rotating drum having an attachment point. Further, the chain joint may also include hydraulic cylinders connected to the rotating drum. Lengths of chain may be used to connect the hydraulic cylinders to the rotating drum via the attachment point. Another embodiment describes a robotic apparatus incorporating the chain joint. Other embodiments are also described. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120101633 | Dual Sensing End Effector with Single Sensor - Systems, methods, and computer programs are presented for an end effector with a dual optical sensor. One end effector includes an arm, a mapping sensor, and a load sensor. The arm has one end connected to a pivoting joint, and a light signal is routed around the arm through a single light path. The mapping sensor is used for identifying the presence of the wafer when the wafer is not loaded on the end effector. The load sensor is used for identifying presence of the wafer on the end effector when the wafer is loaded on the end effector. The load sensor is defined by a second segment in the single light path such that the wafer intersects the second segment and interferes with the single light path when the wafer is loaded. A control module determines if an interruption in the single light path corresponds to an interruption of the single light path in the mapping sensor or the load sensor. As a result, one single light sensor is used to sense for two different conditions in the end effector. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120165979 | ROBOT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A robot and a control method thereof. The control method includes generating and storing plural grasping motions corresponding to data of a target object, selecting a grasping motion corresponding to a grasping purpose of the target object among the plural grasping motions, generating a path of arms corresponding to the selected grasping motion, calculating torques to track the path of the arms, and outputting the torques toward the arms so as to perform movement of the arms and grasping of the target object. The grasping motion path corresponding to the grasping purpose is generated and the path of arms is generated, thereby reducing overall calculation time during grasping of the target object to increase calculating efficiency, minimizing generation of the path of the arms, and allowing an arm path calculating process to be performed at the late stage of a grasping control process to improve grasping performance. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120185090 | Multi-state Model for Robot and User Interaction - The subject disclosure is directed towards a robot device including a model that controls a robot's task-related operations to perform tasks and user-engagement operations to interact with the robot. The model controls the operating states, including transitioning from an autonomous task state to an engaged state based on current context determined from various stimuli, e.g., information received via sensors of the robot and/or learned data. The robot may seek to engage the user, the user may seek to engage the robot, or the user and robot may meet by chance in which either may attempt to initiate the engagement. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120215352 | METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED PROGRAMMING AND OPTIMIZATION OF ROBOTIC WORK SEQUENCES - A method for the automated control of a process robot with a controller performing movement and work sequences and with one or more sensors that record a work progress. A planning tool compares a recorded progress of work with an aimed-for processing objective and determines, from a difference between the processing objective and an actual value of the process that corresponds to the recorded progress of work, movement and work sequences with which the aimed-for processing objective is achieved. Then the determined movement and work sequences are converted into robot-executable control commands in real time or in-step with the process, and the process robot is controlled in such a way as to achieve the aimed-for processing objective. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120245733 | ROBOT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OF A ROBOT - An exemplary robot is disclosed with at least one turnable member wherein a free end of the member is moveable along a programmable path. A force or pressure or contact effect detector is included on an interaction point on the free end of the free member so that signals corresponding to the force or pressure or contact effect are producible. Control of the robot movement is performed according to the programmable path and according to predicted demands in the case of detection. In case of detection, the control will be carried out such that the robot movement is temporarily stopped, slowed down or not stopped and a temporary change of the programmable movement path can be determined in consideration of the produced signals. A homing method for controlling the robot is also disclosed. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120245734 | HUMANOID ROBOT PUSH RECOVERY ON LEVEL AND NON-LEVEL GROUND - A robot controller controls a robot to maintain balance in response to an external disturbance (e.g., a push) on level or non-level ground. The robot controller determines a predicted stepping location for the robot such that the robot will be able to maintain a balanced upright position if it steps to that location. As long as the stepping location predicted stepping location remains within a predefined region (e.g., within the area under the robot's feet), the robot will maintain balance in response to the push via postural changes without taking a step. If the predicted stepping location moves outside the predefined region, the robot will take a step to the predicted location in order to maintain its balance. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120265340 | Robot, Control Device For A Robot, And Method For Operating A Robot - The invention relates to a robot, a robot control device, and a method for operating a robot. The robot includes an arm having a plurality of members following one after the other, an attaching device for attaching an end effector and drives for moving the members, and a control device connected to the drives. In another aspect, a computer program running on the control device, issues a command for the robot arm to carry out an application step. At least one abort condition of the command from a plurality of abort conditions is detected, the execution of the application step is aborted on the basis of the detected abort condition, and simultaneously with the detection of the abort condition information is passed to the computer program about the abort condition on the basis of which the execution of the application step was aborted. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120296471 | ROBOT AND SPOT WELDING ROBOT WITH LEARNING CONTROL FUNCTION | 11-22-2012 |
| 20130006420 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING MULTIPLE HYPOTHESES IN A VISUAL SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAPPING SYSTEM - The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130035791 | VISION CORRECTION METHOD FOR TOOL CENTER POINT OF A ROBOT MANIPULATOR - A vision correction method for establishing the position of a tool center point (TCP) for a robot manipulator includes the steps of: defining a preset position of the TCP; defining a preset coordinate system T | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130085603 | NAVIGATIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A ROBOTIC DEVICE - A navigational control system for altering movement activity of a robotic device operating in a defined working area, comprising a transmitting subsystem integrated in combination with the robotic device, the transmitting subsystem comprising means for emitting a number of directed beams, each directed beam having a predetermined emission pattern, and a receiving subsystem functioning as a base station that includes a navigation control algorithm that defines a predetermined triggering event for the navigational control system and a set of detection units positioned within the defined working area in a known spaced-apart relationship, the set of detection units being configured and operative to detect one or more of the directed beams emitted by the transmitting system. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130103196 | HUMANOID GAME-PLAYING ROBOT, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING SAID ROBOT - The invention relates to a player humanoid robot, a method and computer programs associated therewith. The prior art does not disclose any humanoid robot able to move on its lower limbs, to perform gestures, to communicate visual and/or audible signs, to receive same and interpret them so as to deduce therefrom appropriate behaviors for participating in a game in time as compere, questioner, questioned, investigator or mobile stake for the game. The hardware architectures, internal software and software for programming the robot of the invention make it possible to carry out these functions and to create new game experiences in which the boundaries between virtual world and real world are shifted once again. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130138246 | MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES FOR SLAM IN LARGE ENVIRONMENTS - Vector Field SLAM is a method for localizing a mobile robot in an unknown environment from continuous signals such as WiFi or active beacons. Disclosed is a technique for localizing a robot in relatively large and/or disparate areas. This is achieved by using and managing more signal sources for covering the larger area. One feature analyzes the complexity of Vector Field SLAM with respect to area size and number of signals and then describe an approximation that decouples the localization map in order to keep memory and run-time requirements low. A tracking method for re-localizing the robot in the areas already mapped is also disclosed. This allows to resume the robot after is has been paused or kidnapped, such as picked up and moved by a user. Embodiments of the invention can comprise commercial low-cost products including robots for the autonomous cleaning of floors. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130138247 | RE-LOCALIZATION OF A ROBOT FOR SLAM - Vector Field SLAM is a method for localizing a mobile robot in an unknown environment from continuous signals such as WiFi or active beacons. Disclosed is a technique for localizing a robot in relatively large and/or disparate areas. This is achieved by using and managing more signal sources for covering the larger area. One feature analyzes the complexity of Vector Field SLAM with respect to area size and number of signals and then describe an approximation that decouples the localization map in order to keep memory and run-time requirements low. A tracking method for re-localizing the robot in the areas already mapped is also disclosed. This allows to resume the robot after is has been paused or kidnapped, such as picked up and moved by a user. Embodiments of the invention can comprise commercial low-cost products including robots for the autonomous cleaning of floors. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130178979 | TRANSFER SYSTEM - A transfer system according to an embodiment includes a plurality of robot hands, a storage unit, and an instructing part. The robot hands are operable to hold a thin sheet-like workpiece. The storage unit stores therein speed information that represents a temperature of the workpiece associated with a specified speed of a robot hand that holds the workpiece. The instructing part extracts the specified speed for each robot hand from the speed information and instructs to move all of the robot hands at or lower than a representative speed determined based on a set of extracted specified speed data. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130184867 | ROBOT AND METHOD TO RECOGNIZE AND HANDLE EXCEPTIONAL SITUATIONS - A robot and method to recognize and handle abnormal situations includes a sensing unit to sense internal and external information of the robot, a storage unit to store the information sensed by the sensing unit, an inference model, a learning model, services providable by the robot, subtasks to provide the services, and handling tasks to handle abnormal situations, and a controller to determine whether an abnormal situation has occurred while the subtasks to provide the selected service are being performed through the learning model in the storage unit and to select a handling task to handle the abnormal situation through the inference model in the storage unit if it is determined that the abnormal situation occur. The robot may recognize and handle abnormal situations even though data other than that defined by a designer of the robot is input thereto due to noises or operational environment. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130211589 | 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. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130218338 | POSITION CONTROL METHOD AND ROBOT - A position control method for controlling a position of a movable portion, includes: performing control of allowing the movable portion to approach a predetermined position by moving the movable portion; and performing control of moving the movable portion to the predetermined position by moving the movable portion and detecting a relative position of the movable portion with respect to the predetermined position by using an imaging unit. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130238125 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - The state of an area where one or more target objects are arranged is determined based on the result of measurement by a first sensor. A robot is controlled to grip one of the target objects by the grip unit of the robot. The gripping state of the gripping target object gripped by the grip unit is determined from the result of measuring the gripping target object by using a second sensor. When it is determined that gripping has failed, a rearrangement area where the gripping target object is to be rearranged is decided using the result of measurement by the first sensor or that of measurement by the second sensor. The robot is controlled to rearrange the gripping target object in the rearrangement area by the grip unit. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130245824 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRAINING A ROBOT USING HUMAN-ASSISTED TASK DEMONSTRATION - A method for training a robot to execute a robotic task in a work environment includes moving the robot across its configuration space through multiple states of the task and recording motor schema describing a sequence of behavior of the robot. Sensory data describing performance and state values of the robot is recorded while moving the robot. The method includes detecting perceptual features of objects located in the environment, assigning virtual deictic markers to the detected perceptual features, and using the assigned markers and the recorded motor schema to subsequently control the robot in an automated execution of another robotic task. Markers may be combined to produce a generalized marker. A system includes the robot, a sensor array for detecting the performance and state values, a perceptual sensor for imaging objects in the environment, and an electronic control unit that executes the present method. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130245825 | SAFETY DEVICE FOR THE SAFE USE OF INDUSTRIAL APPARATUSES AND ROBOTS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR REALTIME VERIFICATION OF THE KINEMATIC STATE VALUES OF A ROBOTIZED APPARATUS - A safety device ( | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130282177 | Method And Apparatus For Setting and Controlling A Manipulator Process - According to a method according to the invention for designating and/or controlling a manipulator process for a manipulator configuration ( | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130289767 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FORCE TO BE USED FOR MOTION OF SURGICAL ROBOT - An apparatus and method for controlling a robot may scale a motion of a surgical robot based on a type of object gripped by the surgical robot. In the robot controlling method, by scaling the motion of the surgical robot based on the type of object gripped by the surgical robot, the surgical robot may automatically perform the motion on objects using an optimized force although a user does not control a force minutely based on the type of object gripped by the surgical robot. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130325178 | Method and System for Multi-Mode Coverage for an Autonomous Robot - A control system for a mobile robot ( | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130331987 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING MULTIPLE HYPOTHESES IN A VISUAL SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAPPING SYSTEM - The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130338828 | NAVIGATIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A ROBOTIC DEVICE - A navigational control system for altering movement activity of a robotic device operating in a defined working area, comprising a transmitting subsystem integrated in combination with the robotic device, the transmitting subsystem comprising means for emitting a number of directed beams, each directed beam having a predetermined emission pattern, and a receiving subsystem functioning as a base station that includes a navigation control algorithm that defines a predetermined triggering event for the navigational control system and a set of detection units positioned within the defined working area in a known spaced-apart relationship, the set of detection units being configured and operative to detect one or more of the directed beams emitted by the transmitting system; and wherein the receiving subsystem is configured and operative to process the one or more detected directed beams under the control of the navigational control algorithm to determine whether the predetermined triggering event has occurred, and, if the predetermined triggering event has occurred transmit a control signal to the robotic device, wherein reception of the control signal by the robotic device causes the robotic device to implement a prescribed conduct that alters the movement activity of the robotic device. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130338829 | SAFETY DEVICE FOR A HANDLING APPARATUS, IN PARTICULAR AN INDUSTRIAL ROBOT, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAFETY DEVICE - A safety device is described for a handling apparatus, particularly an industrial robot, having at least one movable gripping arm and a gripping device situated on the gripping arm, as well as having a first sensor device, connected to a control device, that is associated with the gripping arm, for collision detection. The first sensor device includes a first recording range. The safety device includes a second sensor device connected to the control device and including a second recording range. The second recording range records a range which has a greater distance from the handling apparatus than the first recording range. Both recording ranges extend outside the handling apparatus. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140005828 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE ROBOT | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140025202 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes: a robot arm; a robot hand provided on the robot arm; a contact unit provided on the robot hand for rotating a rotation body of a rotation device which includes the rotation body capable of housing a work and a fixed part rotatably supporting the rotation body and which performs a predetermined process on the work; a detection unit configured to detect a detection target part provided on the rotation body; and a first control unit configured to control operation of the robot arm and the robot hand so that the contact unit rotates the rotation body up to a predetermined rotational position according to a result of detecting the detection target part by the detection unit. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140031980 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTENDING SLAM TO MULTIPLE REGIONS - Vector Field SLAM is a method for localizing a mobile robot in an unknown environment from continuous signals such as WiFi or active beacons. Disclosed is a technique for localizing a robot in relatively large and/or disparate areas. This is achieved by using and managing more signal sources for covering the larger area. One feature analyzes the complexity of Vector Field SLAM with respect to area size and number of signals and then describe an approximation that decouples the localization map in order to keep memory and run-time requirements low. A tracking method for re-localizing the robot in the areas already mapped is also disclosed. This allows to resume the robot after is has been paused or kidnapped, such as picked up and moved by a user. Embodiments of the invention can comprise commercial low-cost products including robots for the autonomous cleaning of floors. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140031981 | AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION APPARATUS, AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION APPARATUS - The autonomous locomotion apparatus has a human information acquisition unit which detects a person. When there is probability of contact between the detected person and the autonomous locomotion apparatus based on movement information of the person, the autonomous locomotion apparatus controls a traveling speed or a rotational speed of the autonomous locomotion apparatus to perform a guide operation which presents a path of the autonomous locomotion apparatus which is intended to cause the person to predict, so that it causes the person to avoid the path without giving the person a sense of uneasiness. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140039676 | AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION APPARATUS, AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION APPARATUS - An attribute about person's mobility capability is judged by a human movement attribute acquisition unit. Candidate paths for a detected person to move along are created by a human path candidate creation unit based on information about the person and a predicted time left for a collision between the autonomous locomotion apparatus and the person. A movement load for each candidate path is evaluated by a human path load evaluation unit based on an attribute of person's movement. A path which imposes a minimum movement load on the person, i.e., a path suitable for the person's mobility capability and the easiest for the person to avoid the autonomous locomotion apparatus is selected by a human path determination unit. A path for the autonomous locomotion apparatus to guide the person to the selected path is planned by a guide path planning unit. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140046483 | ROBOTIC CONTROL APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a robotic control apparatus includes a physical parameter switching unit, an observer unit, and a state feedback unit. The physical parameter switching unit switches a physical parameter set in accordance with a value of a mass of an end effector load of a robotic arm. The observer unit estimates an angular velocity of a link based on a simulation model of a motor angular velocity control system which undergoes gain proportional-integral control equivalent to a proportional-integral control of the angular velocity control system. The state feedback unit calculates an axial torsional angular velocity based on a difference between the angular velocity of the motor, and the angular velocity of the link, and feed the calculated axial torsional angular velocity back to the angular velocity control system. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140046484 | Control Method for Computer-Controlled Liquid Handling Workstations - A control method for a computer-controlled liquid handling workstation which comprises a work surface, a motorized liquid handling robot with at least two pipettes each having a cone, and a control computer, to which the liquid handling robot is connected. A control program, activated in the control computer, enables the pipetting robot to position the pipette at specific positions on the work surface. The pipettes and at least one position are visualized as icons, using a visualization device. Upon selecting at least one pipette and designating a position, using an input mechanism, the selected pipette is moved down and up immediately after its selection, and moved to the designated position immediately after designating the position. These movements are carried out prior to selecting at least one action and its execution, enabling the operator to confirm the selection of the pipette and the designation of the position. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140067118 | ROBOT - A robot includes a first arm that rotates around the first axis, a second arm that rotates around a second axis in a direction different from the first axis, a third arm that rotates around a third axis parallel to the second axis, a first inertia sensor that is installed at the first arm, a second (a) inertia sensor that is installed at the third arm, first to third angle sensors, a posture detection unit that detects the posture of the third arm with the second arm as a reference and derives a feedback gain, and a second drive source control unit that feeds back a second correction component, which is obtained by multiplying a value, which is obtained by subtracting the angular velocity ωA2m and the angular velocity ωA3m from the angular velocity ωA3, by the feedback gain, and controls the second drive source. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140067119 | ROBOT - A robot includes respective arms, respective drive sources, respective angle sensors, respective inertia sensors, a posture detection unit that detects the posture of a third arm, and a second drive source control unit that selects, on the basis of a detection result of the posture detection unit, any one of a second (A) correction component, which is derived from an angular velocity ωA3 of a second axis of a third arm obtained from a third inertia sensor, an angular velocity ωA2m of a second axis of a second arm obtained from a second angle sensor, and an angular velocity ωA3m obtained from a third angle sensor, and a second (B) correction component, which is derived from an angular velocity ωA2 obtained from a second inertia sensor and the angular velocity ωA2m, and feeds back the selected correction component to control the second drive source. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140074287 | POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MOBILE ROBOT - Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for ensuring that mobile robots are able to detect and avoid positive obstacles in a physical environment that are typically hard to detect because the obstacles do not exist in the same plane or planes as the mobile robot's horizontally-oriented obstacle detecting lasers. Embodiments of the present invention also help to ensure that mobile robots are able to detect and avoid driving into negative obstacles, such as gaps or holes in the floor, or a flight of stairs. Thus, the invention provides positive and negative obstacle avoidance systems for mobile robots. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140074288 | PICKUP DEVICE CAPABLE OF DETERMINING HOLDING POSITION AND POSTURE OF ROBOT BASED ON SELECTION CONDITION - A pickup device includes a robot for holding a target object, a sensor for measuring a position/posture of an object, a first storing unit for storing a reference holding position/posture, a second storing unit for storing a holding position/posture modification range, a calculating unit for calculating a holding position/posture of the robot based on the position/posture of the target object and the reference holding position/posture, a third storing unit for storing a selection condition determining priority of the holding position/posture, and a selecting unit for selecting a holding position/posture of the robot, based on the priority determined by the selection condition, among the holding positions/postures of the robot obtained from the holding position/posture of the robot and the holding position/posture modification range. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140088761 | Proximity Sensing On Mobile Robots - A proximity sensor includes first and second sensors disposed on a sensor body adjacent to one another. The first sensor is one of an emitter and a receiver. The second sensor is the other one of an emitter and a receiver. A third sensor is disposed adjacent the second sensor opposite the first sensor. The third sensor is an emitter if the first sensor is an emitter or a receiver if the first sensor is a receiver. Each sensor is positioned at an angle with respect to the other two sensors. Each sensor has a respective field of view. A first field of view intersects a second field of view defining a first volume that detects a floor surface within a first threshold distance. The second field of view intersects a third field of view defining a second volume that detects a floor surface within a second threshold distance. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140088762 | POSITION CONTROL METHOD AND ROBOT - A position control method for controlling a position of a movable portion, includes: performing control of allowing the movable portion to approach a predetermined position by moving the movable portion; and performing control of moving the movable portion to the predetermined position by moving the movable portion and detecting a relative position of the movable portion with respect to the predetermined position by using an imaging unit. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140100693 | ROBOT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING DOCKING STATION POSE INCLUDING MOBILE ROBOTS AND METHODS USING SAME - A mobile robot system is provided that includes a docking station having at least two pose-defining fiducial markers. The pose-defining fiducial markers have a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to one another and/or to a reference point on the docking station such that a docking path to the base station can be determined from one or more observations of the at least two pose-defining fiducial markers. A mobile robot in the system includes a pose sensor assembly. A controller is located on the chassis and is configured to analyze an output signal from the pose sensor assembly. The controller is configured to determine a docking station pose, to locate the docking station pose on a map of a surface traversed by the mobile robot and to path plan a docking trajectory. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140107839 | HIGH EFFICIENCY, SMOOTH ROBOT DESIGN - An underwater robot includes a body, a propeller connected to an end of the body, a controller, and first and second actuation units that output jets of fluid. The propeller propels the robot, and the controller stabilizes the robot using the jets of fluid. The controller determines which actuation unit to activate based on a calculation involving a yaw rate and a yaw angle of the robot. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140107840 | INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An apparatus executes movement control that causes a robot arm equipped with a camera to move up to an object, thereby enabling a manipulator to move to an object quickly, accurately, and stably as a control system. Specifically, when the object is not detected, the apparatus executes teaching playback control to cause a manipulator to move along a path up to a target position set in advance based on a position of the object. When the object is detected, the apparatus defines a position closer to the object than the target position as a new target position, sets a new path up to the new target position, executes teaching playback control to cause the manipulator to move along the new path until a switching condition for switching the movement control is fulfilled. When the switching condition is fulfilled, the apparatus executes visual servo control. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140107841 | Coordinated Joint Motion Control System - A coordinated joint control system for controlling a coordinated joint motion system, e.g. an articulated arm of a hydraulic excavator blends automation of routine tasks with real-time human supervisory trajectory correction and selection. One embodiment employs a differential control architecture utilizing an inverse Jacobian. Modeling of the desired trajectory of the end effector in system space can be avoided. The disclosure includes image generation and matching systems. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140114478 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY POSITIONING AN END EFFECTOR - A system for remotely positioning an end effector includes a sensor in an input device aligned with an axis to generate a signal reflective of an angular displacement of the sensor about the axis. A processor receives the signal and executes a set of logic stored in a memory to filter the signal, smooth the signal, and generate a control signal to the end effector that is proportional to the angular displacement of the sensor about the axis. A method for remotely positioning an end effector includes moving an input device, sensing an angular displacement of a sensor from an axis, generating a signal reflective of the angular displacement of the sensor about the axis, smoothing the signal, and generating a control signal to the end effector that is proportional to the angular displacement of the sensor about the axis. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140114479 | ROBOT, ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM - A robot having joints includes a position information acquiring section that acquires time series information about a robot position, speed information, or acceleration information, a dynamics parameter switching section that switches a gravity term component and an inertia force term component of a motion equation separately between dynamics parameters including dynamics parameter of the robot gripping no object and dynamics parameter including the object gripped by the robot which robot arm gripping the object, and a desired torque calculation section that outputs a desired robot joint torque value as a desired joint torque based on the motion equation after the dynamics parameter switching section switches the dynamics parameters and the time series information about the robot position, the speed information, or the acceleration information acquired by the position information acquiring section. The robot controls an operation of the robot based on an output from the desired torque calculation section. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140129027 | Simultaneous Localization And Mapping For A Mobile Robot - A method of simultaneous localization and mapping includes initializing a robot pose and a particle model of a particle filter. The particle model includes particles, each having an associated map, robot pose, and weight. The method includes receiving sparse sensor data from a sensor system of the robot, synchronizing the received sensor data with a change in robot pose, accumulating the synchronized sensor data over time, and determining a robot localization quality. When the accumulated sensor data exceeds a threshold accumulation and the robot localization quality is greater than a threshold localization quality, the method includes updating particles with accumulated synchronized sensor data. The method includes determining a weight for each updated particle of the particle model and setting a robot pose belief to the robot pose of the particle having the highest weight when a mean weight of the particles is greater than a threshold particle weight. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140142756 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes a plurality of claw members movably provided in a hand and configured to hold and release a workpiece. Further, one or more servo motors is provided to move the claw members. A controller controls an operation of each of the servo motors. The controller includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire dimension information of the workpiece, a position control unit configured to perform position control on the servo motors so that the claw members move to first positions and then to second positions pursuant to the dimension information, and a torque limiting unit configured to limit a torque command relating to each of the servo motors to a predetermined torque or less after the claw members are moved to the first positions. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140156070 | VIBRATION-CONTROLLED SUBSTRATE HANDLING ROBOTS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Embodiments disclose a vibration-controlled robot apparatus. The apparatus includes a robot having an end effector operable to transport a substrate, a sensor coupled to the robot, the sensor operable to sense vibration as the robot transports the substrate, and operating the robot to reduce vibration of the end effector supporting the substrate. In some embodiments, a filter is provided in the motor drive circuit to filter one or more frequencies causing unwanted vibration of the end effector. Vibration control systems and methods of operating the same are provided, as are other aspects. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140156071 | MOBILE ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A method of controlling a mobile robot system is provided. The method includes at a mobile robot, transmitting a signal while traveling in a traveling region, at a beacon, receiving the signal transmitted from the mobile robot over 360 degrees and determining whether the mobile robot has approached the beacon, at the beacon, transmitting a response signal to the mobile robot if the mobile robot has approached the beacon, and at the mobile robot, performing avoidance navigation to prevent collision with the beacon when the mobile robot receives the response signal of the beacon. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140195050 | CLEANING ROBOT AND SYSTEM UTILIZING THE SAME - A cleaning robot is disclosed. A first sensing unit generates a sensing signal to a transmittal line according to an external wireless signal. When the external wireless signal is sensed by the first sensing unit, a state of the transmittal line does not match with a pre-determined state. When the external wireless signal is not sensed by the first sensing unit, the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state. A control unit generates a movement signal when the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state. A plurality of wheels rotate according to the movement signal. A second sensing unit generates a second sensing signal according to the external environment of the cleaning robot. When the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the second sensing signal. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140195051 | Configurable Security Monitoring For A Robot Assembly - A safety monitoring means for a robot assembly with at least one robot includes a configuration means for configuring a linking function arrangement with at least one first linking function including a fixed and predetermined number of monitoring functions of a monitoring function arrangement. The monitoring functions are logically linked to one another such that the first linking function has a reaction state whenever none of the monitoring functions indicates a not-violated state. The configuration means may further include at least one second linking function including a fixed and predetermined number of monitoring functions that are logically linked to one another such that the second linking function does not have a reaction state whenever all monitoring functions indicate a violated state. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140200713 | Operating a Mobile Robot - A method of operating a mobile robot includes grasping a feature of a door of a doorway with an end effector of a manipulator arm mounted on the robot and driving the robot while grasping the door feature to move the door to an open position. The method also includes driving the robot to maneuver the robot to contact the door and chock the door in the open position, releasing the door feature from the end effector after chocking the door, and driving the robot through the doorway. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140207279 | ROBOT APPARATUS - A robot apparatus includes an arm that includes an outer skin and a detector that detects the deformation of the outer skin. The detector includes a sending unit that sends a signal, a receiving unit that receives the signal, and a transmission route that is provided along the outer skin so as to lead the signal. The detector detects the deformation of the outer skin based on whether a signal reaches the receiving unit. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140214204 | ROBOT AND ROBOT CONTROLLER - A robot has an operation mode setting unit that sets an operation mode of the robot. The operation mode setting unit changes a correction factor multiplied by the maximum acceleration and the maximum deceleration of an arm and the servo gain of a servo circuit, and thereby selectively sets the operation mode to one of a first operation mode, a second operation mode in which the arm operates faster than in the first operation mode, and a third operation mode in which the arm vibrates less than in the first operation mode. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140222199 | GRASP ASSIST DEVICE WITH SHARED TENDON ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY - A grasp assist device includes a glove with first and second tendon-driven fingers, a tendon, and a sleeve with a shared tendon actuator assembly. Tendon ends are connected to the respective first and second fingers. The actuator assembly includes a drive assembly having a drive axis and a tendon hook. The tendon hook, which defines an arcuate surface slot, is linearly translatable along the drive axis via the drive assembly, e.g., a servo motor thereof. The flexible tendon is routed through the surface slot such that the surface slot divides the flexible tendon into two portions each terminating in a respective one of the first and second ends. The drive assembly may include a ball screw and nut. An end cap of the actuator assembly may define two channels through which the respective tendon portions pass. The servo motor may be positioned off-axis with respect to the drive axis. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140222200 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A MACHINE WITH REDUNDANT PARALLEL ACTUATION, ASSOCIATED CONTROL DEVICE AND MACHINE - A method of controlling a machine with redundant parallel actuation includes a frame and a mobile element driven by a plurality of mechanical transmissions parallel to one another and each being activated by an actuator ( | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140236353 | ROBOT - A robot comprises an arm having at least one joint comprising a joint driving means, the joint driving means having a plurality of actuation lanes; and a fault detection and isolation (FDI) system adapted to detect a fault in any one of the actuation lanes. The fault detection and isolation system in some embodiments is operable to isolate the or each actuation lane exhibiting the fault, and/or the robot is provided with a local control system connected to the fault detection and isolation system, the control system being operable to control the operation of the joint and to maintain, at least partially, operation of the joint when a fault is detected. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140244036 | RECOGNITION-BASED INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION CONTROL WITH CONFIDENCE-BASED DECISION SUPPORT - The present disclosure generally relates to a method for performing industrial automation control in an industrial automation system. As such, the method may include detecting, via a sensor system, positions and/or motions of a human. The method may then include determining a possible automation command corresponding to the detected positions and/or motions. After determining the possible automation command, the method may implement a control and/or notification action based upon the detected positions and/or motions. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140244037 | RECOGNITION-BASED INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION CONTROL WITH PERSON AND OBJECT DISCRIMINATION - The present disclosure generally relates to a method for performing industrial automation control in an industrial automation system may include detecting, via a sensor system, positions and/or motions of one or more humans and/or one or more objects in an industrial automation system and distinguishing, via a programmed computer system, between one or more humans and one or more objects based upon the detected positions and/or motions. The method may then include implementing a control and/or notification action based upon the distinction. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140244038 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING MULTIPLE HYPOTHESES IN A VISUAL SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAPPING SYSTEM - The invention is related to methods and apparatus that use a visual sensor and dead reckoning sensors to process Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). These techniques can be used in robot navigation. Advantageously, such visual techniques can be used to autonomously generate and update a map. Unlike with laser rangefinders, the visual techniques are economically practical in a wide range of applications and can be used in relatively dynamic environments, such as environments in which people move. One embodiment further advantageously uses multiple particles to maintain multiple hypotheses with respect to localization and mapping. Further advantageously, one embodiment maintains the particles in a relatively computationally-efficient manner, thereby permitting the SLAM processes to be performed in software using relatively inexpensive microprocessor-based computer systems. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140277719 | ROBOT PICKING SYSTEM, CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A WORKPIECE - A robot picking system includes a robot including a gripper that picks up a target work in a first stocker accommodating a plurality of works, a control device that controls an operation of the robot, and an image acquiring device that acquires image data including information related to the target work. The control device includes a trajectory calculating unit that sets a first trajectory including a first zone in which a posture of the gripper is changed and a second zone in which the gripper having the changed posture approaches the target work that is a picking-up target. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140277720 | ROBOT SYSTEM, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ROBOT, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING TO-BE-PROCESSED MATERIAL - A robot system includes a robot. A fitting member holder is mounted to a distal end of the robot to hold a fitting member. A receiver member receives the fitting member. A position determination member is disposed at a fixed position relative to the receiver member. A robot controller controls the robot. A position identifying device brings the robot, the fitting member, or the fitting member holder into contact with the position determination member with the fitting member holder holding the fitting member. A position identifying device identifies a fitting position based on a position of the contact. A fitting control device controls the robot to fit the fitting member into the receiver member at the fitting position. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140277721 | ROBOT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING WORKPIECE - A robot system includes a robot hand and a controller. The robot hand includes a plurality of holders configured to hold a workpiece placed on a workpiece placement stand using at least one of electromagnetic force and suction force. The controller is configured to control the plurality of holders to hold the workpiece while controlling the plurality of holders to switch between operation mode and nonoperation mode in accordance with at least one of a shape and a size of the workpiece. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140288707 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system is provided, which includes a robot, a controller for controlling an operation of the robot, and a sensor for detecting a person entering into a delivery area where the robot and the person deliver an object therebetween. When the sensor detects the person entering into the delivery area, the controller sets to the delivery area a first restricted area where the operation of the robot is restricted, and controls the robot based on the first restricted area. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140288708 | 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. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140297034 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING TEACHING COMMAND TO CONTROL ROBOT - In order for a control system that interlocks with a teaching data input unit and a robot to control the robot, when teaching data including layer selection information that is input through the teaching data input unit is received, the control system generates a joint space path of a layer of any one of teaching data of a first layer and teaching data of a second layer according to the layer selection information of the teaching data. The control system controls the robot based on the generated joint space path. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140303775 | AUTOMATIC MOVING APPARATUS AND MANUAL OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - Various interfaces allowing users to directly manipulate an automatic moving apparatus manually, thus enhancing user convenience and efficiency, are provided. An automatic moving apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store a traveling method; an image detection unit configured to acquire a captured image; a driving unit having one or more wheels and driving the wheels according to a driving signal; and a control unit configured to extract a traveling direction from the traveling method stored in the storage unit in a first mode, extract a traveling direction indicated by a sensing target from the captured image acquired by the image detection unit in a second mode, and generate a driving signal for moving the automatic moving apparatus in the extracted traveling direction. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140316567 | Animatronic System With Unlimited Axes - In an animatronic system, recording and playing performances of individual axes of character movement involves, during recording, continually commanding speeds and rotational directions of a stepping axis motor in response to manual movement of a joystick. The joystick commands are modified by means of a feedback motor electrically coupled to the axis motor to mechanically interact with the joystick. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140330433 | HUMAN SAFETY PROVISION IN MOBILE AUTOMATION ENVIRONMENTS - A computer-implemented system and method for operating mobile automated workstations in a workspace including a workpiece is disclosed. A computer device defines an exclusionary volume having an outer exclusionary surface at least partially surrounding a mobile workstation that is operably disposed in the workspace. The computer device receives data from at least one sensor and determines the location of the workstation and humans within the workspace based on the data. The computer device activates an indicator and alters the motion of the workstation after detection of a human breaching the exclusionary volume or exclusionary surface. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140350724 | BOLT TIGHTENING ROBOT FOR WIND TURBINES - A robot to bolt down a series of nut bolts in a joint circular flange connection of a wind turbine, which robot comprises at least two wheels and a drive to transport the robot along the series of nut bolts and a tool to bolt down a nut bolt with a predefined torque and a position sensor to position the tool above the nut bolt to be bolted down and a robot control system to control the tightening process and document parameters relevant for the stability of each bolted down nut bolt. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140350725 | AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT FOR HANDLING JOB ASSIGNMENTS IN A PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT INHABITED BY STATIONARY AND NON-STATIONARY OBSTACLES - An intelligent mobile robot having a robot base controller and an onboard navigation system that, in response to receiving a job assignment specifying a job location that is associated with one or more job operations, activates the onboard navigation system to automatically determine a path the mobile robot should use to drive to the job location, automatically determines that using an initially-selected path could cause the mobile robot to run into stationary or non-stationary obstacles, such as people or other mobile robots, in the physical environment, automatically determines a new path to avoid the stationary and non-stationary obstacles, and automatically drives the mobile robot to the job location using the new path, thereby avoiding contact or collisions with those obstacles. After the mobile robot arrives at the job location, it automatically performs said one or more job operations associated with that job location. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140371905 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF ROBOT PROGRAMS - Workflow charts for processing (e.g., treating, machining) a workpiece with a tool of an industrial robot are automatically generated. An initial chart has a plurality of tool paths for a workpiece in a defined target position and for defined process parameters. The tool path determines the desired movement of the tool along the workpiece. A state space describing variable parameter values that impact the workpiece processing are defined. Each point in the space represents a concrete combination of possible parameter values. The space is discretized into individual states. The processing of the workpiece is simulated using the initial chart for one or several discrete states and the simulated process results are evaluated according to a pre-definable criterion. The initial chart is iteratively modified, subsequently workpiece processing is simulated using the modified chart for at least one discrete state, and the simulated processing results are evaluated with a pre-definable cost function. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150039127 | SELF-PROPELLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE - In a self-propelled vacuum cleaner ( | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150039128 | ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE - A robot control device according to an embodiment includes: an observer receiving the angular velocity of the motor and the current command value, and estimating an angular acceleration of the link, and angular velocities of the link and the motor from a simulation model of an angular velocity control system of the motor; a first feedback unit calculating an axis torsion angular velocity from a difference between the angular velocities of the link and the motor estimated by the observer, and giving feedback to the angular velocity control system; a second feedback unit feeding back the angular acceleration of the link estimated by the observer to the angular velocity control system; and a first feedback constant calculating unit compensating an end effector load mass and increases inertia at the second feedback unit when an end effector load in the nonlinear dynamic model has low inertia. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150045949 | ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ROBOT - A robot control apparatus includes a first storage section to associate information of work performed by a robot with a work program indicating content of the work, and to store the information in association with the work program. A second storage section associates robot identification information for identifying the robot with a coordinate position of the robot, and stores the robot identification information in association with the coordinate position of the robot. A display control section controls a display section to display, in order, setting windows respectively corresponding to work steps of the work. In response to an operator selecting the work, a path preparation section prepares a movement path of the robot in the work based on the work program corresponding to the work selected by the operator and based on information of the coordinate position of the robot to perform the work. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150045950 | TRANSFER SYSTEM - A transfer system includes a first station at which a workpiece is placed, a second station which receives the workpiece from the first station, a robot including a holder for holding the workpiece and for transferring the workpiece from the first station to the second station, an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the workpiece that reflects a position of the workpiece in the first station, a first memory unit that stores intended placement position information indicating an intended placement position of the workpiece in the first station, and a deviation calculator that calculates a deviation of the position of the workpiece in the first station relative to the intended placement position. The deviation calculator calculates the deviation based on the image of the workpiece and the intended placement position information. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150057799 | Method For Controlling A Robot - A method for controlling a robot includes monitoring the robot, and carrying out a fault reaction, selected from a number of specified fault reactions, on the basis of the monitoring of the robot, wherein the fault reaction is selected on the basis of a monitoring of an operational capability and/or an output variable of at least one motor of the robot. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150081095 | ROBOT - Provided is a robot further improved in safety. The robot includes at least one link which is rotatably coupled around an axis, a motor which rotates the link around the axis, a first sensor which detects a rotation state of the motor, and a second sensor which detects a rotation state of the link. The robot also includes a controller which controls the rotation of the link based on information from the first sensor. The controller determines an operation state of at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor, based on first information from the first sensor and second information from the second sensor. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150088310 | SOCIAL BEHAVIOR RULES FOR A MEDICAL TELEPRESENCE ROBOT - Devices, systems, and methods for social behavior of a telepresence robot are disclosed herein. A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an object detection system, and a social behaviors component. The drive system is configured to move the telepresence robot. The control system is configured to control the drive system to drive the telepresence robot around a work area. The object detection system is configured to detect a human in proximity to the telepresence robot. The social behaviors component is configured to provide instructions to the control system to cause the telepresence robot to operate according to a first set of rules when a presence of one or more humans is not detected and operate according to a second set of rules when the presence of one or more humans is detected. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150100158 | AUTONOMOUS RUNNING CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE OF AUTONOMOUS RUNNING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM FOR AUTONOMOUS RUNNING CONTROL DEVICE - In a running control method of a running apparatus, person moving direction and speed are estimated based on a person position history for predetermined time. It is decided whether contact with a person is likely to be made based on the estimation and running information about the running apparatus. When it is decided that the contact is likely to be made, a first route where the running apparatus avoids the person is generated for controlling running of the running apparatus therealong. It is decided whether the person has the intention to contact with the running apparatus based on the decision in the contact possibility deciding unit after the running along the first route. When it is decided that the person has the contact intention, a second route where the running apparatus approaches the person is generated for controlling the running of the running apparatus therealong. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150112483 | AUTOMATIC AUTOMATED INSTALLATION - The invention relates to an automatic automated installation in which at least one robot ( | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150120047 | CONTROL DEVICE, ROBOT, ROBOT SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD - A control device includes a reception unit that receives first operation information and second operation information different from the first operation information; and a process unit that instructs a robot to execute operations based on the first operation information and the second operation information using a plurality of captured images of an imaged target object, the images being captured multiple times while the robot moves from a first posture to a second posture different from the first posture. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150127152 | ROBOT APPARATUS, ASSEMBLING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A robot apparatus includes a gripping unit configured to grip a first component, a force sensor configured to detect, as detection values, a force and a moment acting on the gripping unit, a storing unit having stored therein contact states of the first component and a second component and transition information in association with each other, a selecting unit configured to discriminate, on the basis of the detection values, a contact state of the first component and the second component and select, on the basis of a result of the discrimination, the transition state stored in the storing unit, and a control unit configured to control the gripping unit on the basis of the transition information selected by the selecting unit. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150134111 | CONTROL METHOD FOR ROBOT APPARATUS AND ROBOT APPARATUS - A control method for a robot apparatus including a power supply unit, an articulated arm having a plurality of joints each having an actuator and a driver, and a control device includes determining by the control device whether a total of required power in all of the actuators is equal to or lower than an allowable power of the power supply unit by using a trajectory through teaching points for moving the articulated arm from a first position/attitude to a second position/attitude before the articulated arm starts moving, and if not, resetting by the control device the trajectory for moving the articulated arm from the first position/attitude to the second position/attitude to a trajectory causing a total of required powers in all of the actuators to be equal to or lower than the allowable power of the power supply unit. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150148955 | STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Systems and methods for cleaning a structure via a robot are described. The system includes a first robot and a second robot. The first robot includes a body, a tool arm, a sensor coupled, a drive system configured to allow vertical and inverted positioning of the first robot, a transceiver, and a controller. The second robot similarly includes a body, a drive system configured to allow positioning of the second robot, a transceiver, and a controller. The system includes a base station in communication with the first robot via the first robot transceiver and/or in communication with the second robot via the second robot transceiver. The first robot is configured to autonomously perform a maintenance task on the structure. The second robot is configured to autonomously provide a support service to the first robot during the maintenance task. The first robot is configured to communicate with the second robot. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150148956 | ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, ROBOT CONTROL APPARATUS, ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An evaluation value E | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150290818 | ROBOTIC EXOSKELETON WITH ADAPTIVE VISCOUS USER COUPLING - A system for preventing discomfort to a user of a robotic exoskeleton ( | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150306772 | Method and System for Multi-Mode Coverage For An Autonomous Robot - A control system for a mobile robot ( | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150314440 | Robotic Control System Using Virtual Reality Input - A robotic system and method performs tasks autonomously on real-world objects (RWOs) upon receipt of inputs from a virtual reality environment. A robotic actuator has tools to manipulate the RWOs, and a set of robot-specific instructions for actuating the tools. A first set of rules governs the RWOs, and sensors detect the presence of the RWOs. A virtual reality (VR) computer uses sensor data to generate a virtual world (VW) including virtual world objects (VWOs) representative of RWOs. A second set of rules governs the VWOs. A user manipulates the VWOs to generate a modified virtual world (MVW). A transformation engine captures differences between the VW and MVW, transforms the differences into inputs for the robotic actuator. An autonomous instruction engine receives the inputs to identify RWOs and combines the inputs with the first set of rules to generate combined instructions usable by the robotic actuator to manipulate RWOs autonomously. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150314442 | Bare Hand Robot Path Teaching - A system for generating instructions for operating a robot to perform work on a workpiece has a 3D model or models of a robot scene that provides robot scene data. The system also has data of one or both hands of a gesture made with the one or both hands and a computation device that has program code configured to process the robot scene data and the gesture data to generate an instruction to operate the robot. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150321348 | Systems and Methods for Modular Units in Electro-Mechanical Systems - Systems and methods are provided for an electro-mechanical system. A system includes a plurality of connected modules. A first module of the modules includes an actuator for imparting motion on the electro-mechanical system and a data processor configured to sense a state of the first module and to command the actuator to modify the state of the first module. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150336276 | PERSONAL ROBOT - A personal robot including a first smart device, a robot main body, and a second smart device is implemented as a first type where the first smart device is wirelessly connected to the robot main body, as a second type where the first smart device is mounted on and connected to the robot main body in a wired manner, or as a third type where the second smart device is wirelessly connected to the robot main body where the first smart device is mounted on and connected to the robot main body in a wired manner. In the third type, the robot main body is connected to the first smart device in a wired manner and wirelessly connected to the second smart device, and a robot main body control unit controls the robot main body according to simultaneously processed data from the first and second smart devices. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338196 | OPTICAL TRACKING FOR CONTROLLING PYROTECHNIC SHOW ELEMENTS - A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from show elements within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to determine whether the show elements are to be adjusted. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150352719 | APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An apparatus comprises a holding unit configured to hold data related to a worker; an obtaining unit configured to obtain measurement data for recognizing the worker; a recognizing unit configured to recognize the worker based on the data related to the worker and the measurement data; a determination unit configured to determine work information about a work which the worker and a robot perform on a target object together, corresponding to the recognized worker, based on a physical feature of the recognized worker; and a controlling unit configured to control the robot based on the work information so that the worker and the robot perform a work on the target object together. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150360368 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING WEIGHT AND CENTER OF GRAVITY OF OBJECT LIFTED BY ROBOT - A method for calculating weight and center of gravity of an object lifted by a robot includes lifting an object, measuring a change in angle of each joint through an angle sensor provided for each joint of the gripper in the event of the lifting, and calculating angular velocity and acceleration of each joint, calculating, via a controller, acceleration of the object, measuring an upper pressing force and a lower pressing force using force sensors installed on the joints, and calculating, via the controller, the weight of the object using a vertical component of the acceleration of the object, gravitational acceleration, and the upper and lower pressing forces. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150367510 | MULTI-JOINT ROBOT HAVING FUNCTION FOR REPOSITIONING ARM - A multi-joint robot using substantially one sensor, capable of performing a proper repositioning motion of an arm of the robot. The controller has a disturbance torque estimating part which estimates a first disturbance torque and a second disturbance torque, by calculating a torque generated by a mass and motion of the robot and subtracting the calculated torque from the first torque and the second torque detected by a torque detecting part. The controller has a repositioning commanding part which generates a motion command for rotating each axis so that the disturbance torque is reduced, when the disturbance torque exceeds a torque threshold. Since the axis is repositioned based on the motion command, a portion of the robot pushed by the operator is repositioned, whereby the operator can easily perform one's work without using a teaching board, etc. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150367512 | ROBOT CLEANER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A robot cleaner which does not stop to change a traveling direction thereof, and a control method thereof includes setting a territory about which cleaning will be performed based on position data acquired during traveling about a cleaning area, predetermining a cleaning path to clean the territory about which cleaning will be performed, and if the cleaning path includes a zigzag traveling path, changing the traveling direction of the robot cleaner by executing curved traveling of the robot cleaner during traveling along the zigzag traveling path, thus decreasing the time required to clean an area during a change of the traveling direction of the robot cleaner. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20160000290 | ROBOT CLEANER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A robot cleaner includes a traveling unit to move a main body, an obstacle sensing unit to sense an obstacle, a light reception unit to receive modulated light according to a control command of a user, and a controller to control the traveling unit so that the main body traces a light spot formed by the light. If an obstacle is detected, the controller controls the traveling unit such that the main body traces an outline of the obstacle according to the light spot position and the obstacle position. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160008976 | ROBOT PROGRAM MODIFICATION SYSTEM | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160014955 | Method for Controlling a Self-Propelled Lawnmower - The invention relates to a method for operating a self-propelled lawnmower, which is moved on a surface ( | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160016313 | ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING STOP FUNCTION - A robot control system includes an operation command output unit which outputs an operation command of a motor, a position detection unit which is provided on the motor to detect the position of a control shaft, a stop signal output unit which outputs a stop signal to stop the robot when the speed of the control shaft acquired from the position detection unit exceeds a speed threshold value, and an operation command interruption unit which interrupts the operation command outputted from the operation command output unit when the stop signal is outputted. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160022107 | ROBOT CLEANER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A method of controlling a robot cleaner includes recognizing information on a monitoring standby position by a robot cleaner, moving to the monitoring standby position at a monitoring start time by the robot cleaner, acquiring an image, by an image acquisition unit of the robot cleaner, at the monitoring standby position, determining whether an event has occurred, by the robot cleaner, based on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit, transmitting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit to an external remote terminal when it is determined that the event occurred. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160039090 | ROBOT PROGRAM GENERATION APPARATUS GENERATING ROBOT PROGRAM FOR REDUCING JERKS OF JOINTS OF ROBOT - A robot program generation apparatus includes an allowable jerk value setting unit for setting allowable jerk values to joints of a robot, a joint information calculation unit for simulating execution of a robot program in a virtual space and calculating positions and jerks of the joints in association with time, a jerks determination unit for determining whether or not the calculated jerk is an excess jerk exceeding the allowable jerk values, a joint information identification unit for identifying the joints and positions of the joints in which the excess jerks are generated, and a robot program adjustment unit for adjusting the robot program by modifying a teaching position within the neighborhood of the positions of the joints in which the excess jerks are generated so that the jerks of the identified joints become equal to or smaller than the allowable jerk values. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160039095 | Interference System and Computer System thereof for Robot Cleaner - An interference system for a robot cleaner which generates a detection signal and receives a feedback signal corresponding to the detection signal is disclosed. The interference system includes a fixing module, for stably fixing the interference system onto the robot cleaner; a monitor module, for obtaining a real-time imaging information of the robot cleaner; a transmission module, for transmitting the real-time imaging information to a computer system and correspondingly receiving a control signal from the computer system; and an interference module, coupled to the fixing module, for reflecting the detection signal to be the feedback signal according to the control signal, so as to process an interference operation to change a moving direction of the robot cleaner. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160059408 | TRAVELING ROBOT, NOTION PLANNING METHOD FOR TRAVELING ROBOT, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM FOR TRAVELING ROBOT - A traveling robot includes a mobile unit, an arm and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to set a target position to which the traveling robot intends to travel. The electronic control unit is configured to calculate a center of gravity of the traveling robot. The electronic control unit is configured to plan a motion of a movable part of the mobile unit and/or arm to the set target position. The electronic control unit is configured to, in the case where the traveling robot is close to the set target position, plan the motion of the movable part of the mobile unit and/or arm such that a limitation on a range of the center of gravity is relaxed as compared to a limitation on the range of the center of gravity in the case where the traveling robot is far from the set target position. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160059416 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAILYARD ROBOTICS - A robot in one embodiment includes a navigation system, a manipulation unit, a visual recognition unit, and a processing unit. The visual recognition unit includes at least one detector configured to acquire presence information of humans within at least a portion of the area. The processing unit is operably coupled to the navigation system, manipulation unit, and visual recognition unit, and is configured to determine a presence of a human within at least one predetermined range of the robot using the presence information from the visual recognition unit, determine at least one control action responsive to determining the presence of the human within the at least one predetermined range, and control at least one of the navigation system or manipulation unit to implement the at least one control action. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160059418 | AUTONOMOUS ACTION ROBOT, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR AUTONOMOUS ACTION ROBOT - An autonomous action robot includes: a sound acquisition unit that acquires an acoustic signal; a sound source localization unit that estimates a direction of a sound source with respect to the acoustic signal; a distance measurement unit that performs measurements related to distance for a predetermined range; a map information generation unit that generates two-dimensional map information and that estimates a self-location of the autonomous action robot, using information of the distance; a sound source direction determination unit that re-estimates the direction of the sound source based on the two-dimensional map information, the estimated self-location information, and the estimated sound source direction; an action generation unit that generates an action plan based on the two-dimensional map information and the sound source direction estimated by the sound source direction determination unit; and a control unit that controls the autonomous action robot according to the action plan. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160075014 | 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. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160075015 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING ROBOTIC DEVICES - Computerized appliances may be operated by users remotely. A learning controller apparatus may be operated to determine association between a user indication and an action by the appliance. The user indications, e.g., gestures, posture changes, audio signals may trigger an event associated with the controller. The event may be linked to a plurality of instructions configured to communicate a command to the appliance. The learning apparatus may receive sensory input conveying information about robot's state and environment (context). The sensory input may be used to determine the user indications. During operation, upon determine the indication using sensory input, the controller may cause execution of the respective instructions in order to trigger action by the appliance. Device animation methodology may enable users to operate computerized appliances using gestures, voice commands, posture changes, and/or other customized control elements. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160075018 | TRAINABLE MODULAR ROBOTIC APPARATUS - Apparatus and methods for a modular robotic device with artificial intelligence that is receptive to training controls. In one implementation, modular robotic device architecture may be used to provide all or most high cost components in an autonomy module that is separate from the robotic body. The autonomy module may comprise controller, power, actuators that may be connected to controllable elements of the robotic body. The controller may position limbs of the toy in a target position. A user may utilize haptic training approach in order to enable the robotic toy to perform target action(s). Modular configuration of the disclosure enables users to replace one toy body (e.g., the bear) with another (e.g., a giraffe) while using hardware provided by the autonomy module. Modular architecture may enable users to purchase a single AM for use with multiple robotic bodies, thereby reducing the overall cost of ownership. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160075021 | AUTONOMOUS ROBOT AUTO-DOCKING AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160075024 | NAVIGATING AUTONOMOUS COVERAGE ROBOTS - A method of navigating an autonomous coverage robot between bounded areas includes positioning a navigation beacon in a gateway between adjoining first and second bounded areas. The beacon configured to transmit a gateway marking emission across the gateway. In some example, the navigation beacon may also transmit a proximity emission laterally about the beacon, where the robot avoids cleaning and migration within the proximity emission. The method also includes placing the coverage robot within the first bounded area. The robot autonomously traverses the first bounded area in a cleaning mode and upon encountering the gateway marking emission in the gateway, the robot remains in the first bounded area, thereby avoiding the robot migration into the second area. Upon termination of the cleaning mode in the first area, the robot autonomously initiates a migration mode to move through the gateway, past the beacon, into the second bounded area. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160075030 | ROBOT APPARATUS, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A force detector provided between a robot arm and a robot hand detects forces Fx, Fy, and Fz. A robot controller performs a filtering process for the forces Fx and Fy by a first low-pass filter of a cutoff frequency F | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160082597 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EARLY SENSORY INTEGRATION AND ROBUST ACQUISITION OF REAL WORLD KNOWLEDGE - The systems and methods disclosed herein include a path integration system that calculates optic flow, infers angular velocity from the flow field, and incorporates this velocity estimate into heading calculations. The resulting system fuses heading estimates from accelerometers, gyroscopes, engine torques, and optic flow to determine self-localization. The system also includes a motivational system that implements a reward drive, both positive and negative, into the system. In some implementations, the drives can include: a) a curiosity drive that encourages exploration of new areas, b) a resource drive that attracts the agent towards the recharging base when the battery is low, and c) a mineral reward drive that attracts the agent towards previously explored scientific targets. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160096270 | FEATURE DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TRAINING OF ROBOTIC NAVIGATION - A robotic device may be operated by a learning controller comprising a feature learning configured to determine control signal based on sensory input. An input may be analyzed in order to determine occurrence of one or more features. Features in the input may be associated with the control signal during online supervised training. During training, learning process may be adapted based on training input and the predicted output. A combination of the predicted and the target output may be provided to a robotic device to execute a task. Feature determination may comprise online adaptation of input, sparse encoding transformations. Computations related to learning process adaptation and feature detection may be performed on board by the robotic device in real time thereby enabling autonomous navigation by trained robots. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160096272 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TRAINING OF ROBOTS - A random k-nearest neighbors (RKNN) approach may be used for regression/classification model wherein the input includes the k closest training examples in the feature space. The RKNN process may utilize video images as input in order to predict motor command for controlling navigation of a robot. In some implementations of robotic vision based navigation, the input space may be highly dimensional and highly redundant. When visual inputs are augmented with data of another modality that is characterized by fewer dimensions (e.g., audio), the visual data may overwhelm lower-dimension data. The RKNN process may partition available data into subsets comprising a given number of samples from the lower-dimension data. Outputs associated with individual subsets may be combined (e.g., averaged). Selection of number of neighbors, subset size and/or number of subsets may be used to trade-off between speed and accuracy of the prediction. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160101523 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF A SURFACE BY AN AUTONOMOUS ROBOT - A robot configured to navigate a surface, the robot comprising a movement mechanism; a logical map representing data about the surface and associating locations with one or more properties observed during navigation; an initialization module configured to establish an initial pose comprising an initial location and an initial orientation; a region covering module configured to cause the robot to move so as to cover a region; an edge—following module configured to cause the robot to follow unfollowed edges; a control module configured to invoke region covering on a first region defined at least in part based at least part of the initial pose, to invoke region covering on least one additional region, to invoke edge-following, and to invoke region covering cause the mapping module to mark followed edges as followed, and cause a third region covering on regions discovered during edge-following. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160114484 | SYSTEM, ROBOT AND ROBOT SYSTEM FOR DETECTING LOAD APPLIED TO ROBOT - A system which can improve the reliability of an emergency stop operation of a robot when contacting a worker. The system is comprised of a force sensor and a malfunction judgment part. The force sensor has a detection part which detects the load in one direction. The detection part includes a first detection element and a second detection element. The malfunction judgment part judges if a first detection value which is detected by the first detection element and a second detection value which is detected by the second detection element differ from each other. If the first detection value and the second detection value differ from each other, it is judged that the first detection element or second detection element have malfunctioned. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160129593 | DOMESTIC ROBOTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD - A domestic robotic system including a robot having a payload for carrying out a domestic task within a working area. The robot also includes a plurality of sensors, including one or more local environment sensors that are configured to receive signals from exterior sources local to the robot. The system further includes data storage, which is operable to store boundary information that defines the path of a predetermined boundary within which the robot is permitted to move. The robot is programmed to operate in at a reference trail recording mode and a navigation mode. In the reference trail recording mode, the robot moves along a reference trail while receiving sensor information from its sensors, with the path of the reference trail being calculated by the system based on the stored boundary information so as to be spaced apart from the path of the predetermined boundary. Also in the reference trail recording mode, the system stores reference trail information corresponding to a first plurality of points along the reference trail. This reference trail information is derived from the sensor information corresponding to the first plurality of points. In the navigation mode, the robot moves within the working area and navigates by: receiving current sensor information from its sensors; and, when it is in the vicinity of the reference trail, comparing the current sensor information with the reference trail information in order to determine its current position. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160133502 | WAFER TRANSFER ROBOT, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING THE SAME - A wafer transfer robot includes a robot transfer mechanism including a robot axis member and a robot arm member connected to the robot axis member, a robot hand connected to the robot arm member of the robot transfer mechanism and configured to transfer a wafer by using the robot transfer mechanism, a vertical displacement sensor installed in an upper side of the robot hand, and a plurality of horizontal displacement sensors installed in the upper side of the robot hand and separate from each other along a virtual line that is perpendicular to bilaterally symmetric axis of the robot hand. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160144509 | ROBOTIC DEVICES AND METHODS OF OPERATING ROBOTIC DEVICES - A method is provided for operating a robotic device having a kinematic chain of movable components. The method includes: detecting respective values at least one characteristic of a plurality of the movable components by sensors arranged on the kinematic chain or in the vicinity of the kinematic chain; ascertaining a maximum value based on the detected values; comparing the ascertained maximum value with a predefined first safety limit by a controller of the robotic device; and adjusting the at least one characteristic or a further characteristic of the kinematic chain when the ascertained maximum value has a predefined relationship with the first safety limit, in order to increase the operating safety of the robotic device. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20160151917 | MULTI-SEGMENT SOCIAL ROBOT | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160158942 | Robotic Touch Perception - An apparatus such as a robot capable of performing goal oriented tasks may include one or more touch sensors to receive touch perception feedback on the location of objects and structures within an environment. A fusion engine may be configured to combine touch perception data with other types of sensor data such as data received from an image or distance sensor. The apparatus may combine distance sensor data with touch sensor data using inference models such as Bayesian inference. The touch sensor may be mounted onto an adjustable arm of a robot. The apparatus may use the data it has received from both a touch sensor and distance sensor to build a map of its environment and perform goal oriented tasks such as cleaning or moving objects. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160161937 | ROBOT AND ROBOT CONTROLLER - A robot has an operation mode setting unit that sets an operation mode of the robot. The operation mode setting unit changes a correction factor multiplied by the maximum acceleration and the maximum deceleration of an arm and the servo gain of a servo circuit, and thereby selectively sets the operation mode to one of a first operation mode, a second operation mode in which the arm operates faster than in the first operation mode, and a third operation mode in which the arm vibrates less than in the first operation mode. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160176047 | ROBOT | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160176049 | Method and Manipulator Assembly for the Conditional Stopping of at Least One Manipulator on a Path | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160199141 | Operating a medical-robotic device and a medical-robotic device | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160250750 | ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHING LIMITATION MODE ON OPERATION OF ROBOT | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160250751 | PROVIDING PERSONALIZED PATIENT CARE BASED ON ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD ASSOCIATED WITH A USER | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160375578 | Method For Processing Information And Electronic Device - A method for processing information and an electronic device are provided, in order to improve the performance of response of an electronic device. The method includes: obtaining environmental information of a current environment; determining, based on the environmental information, a first operation instruction corresponding to the electronic device and an execution parameter corresponding to the first operation instruction, where the execution parameter is a parameter selected among at least two execution parameters corresponding to the first operation instruction; and controlling the electronic device to perform a first operation corresponding to the first operation instruction based on the execution parameter. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20160375580 | ROBOT SYSTEM AND ROBOT CONTROL METHOD - A robot system includes a robot arm including arms and joint parts such that each of the joint parts is connecting two arms, and an auxiliary arm including links, joints and sensors such that each of the joints is connecting two links and that the sensors detect rotation angles of the joints. The auxiliary arm has an end attached to the robot arm at a position which includes multiple joint parts of the joint parts from a base end side to a front end side of the robot arm such that the auxiliary arm follows movement of the robot arm. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20170232613 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HAPTIC TRAINING OF ROBOTS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20170232616 | ROBOT APPARATUS, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING PART, AND RECORDING MEDIUM | 08-17-2017 |
| 20180021942 | ROBOT CLEANER, REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF | 01-25-2018 |
| 20180021954 | Reorienting a Distance Sensor using an Adjustable Leveler | 01-25-2018 |
| 20190143505 | TRAINABLE MODULAR ROBOTIC APPARATUS | 05-16-2019 |
| 20190143506 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A ROBOTIC MANIPULATOR OR ASSOCIATED TOOL | 05-16-2019 |
| 20190143512 | ROBOTIC ARM SYSTEM AND OBJECT AVOIDANCE METHODS | 05-16-2019 |
| 20190143514 | TEACHING APPARATUS, ROBOT SYSTEM, AND TEACHING METHOD | 05-16-2019 |
| 20220134563 | Fitting Method And Robot System - A fitting method includes (a) detecting a first position as a position where fitting of a first object and a second object is determined, (b) moving the first object from the first position toward a determination direction different from a fitting direction and detecting a second position as a position where magnitude of a force applied to the first object reaches a predetermined reference value, and (c) determining that a fitting condition of the first object and the second object is good when a predetermined determination condition including a condition that the second position is within an acceptable position range set according to the first position is satisfied. | 05-05-2022 |
| 20220134564 | Robot Control Method And Robot System - A robot control method for a robot performing an insertion operation of inserting a second target object with force control into a first target object conveyed by a conveyor device is provided. The robot control method includes: a follow step of causing the second target object to follow the first target object from an operation start location, based on a conveyance speed of the first target object; a contact step of bringing the second target object into contact with the first target object, the second target object being in a tilted attitude in relation to the first target object, with the force control; an attitude change step of changing the attitude of the second target object in such a way that the tilt in relation to the first target object is eliminated, while pressing the second target object against the first target object, with the force control; and an insertion step of inserting the second target object into the first target object. | 05-05-2022 |
