Abstract

A selector configured to provide tactile feedback to the user. The selector can be incorporated into the fingertip of a glove, or many other suitable locations. Different size selectors can be provided for different application. Arrays of multiple selectors can also be provided. An embodiment of the inventive device includes a central plunger lying behind a conductive covering. A tactile surface is provided on the rear of the plunger. A compressive element is positioned to urge the plunger toward the conductive covering. When a user presses the selector against a touchscreen, the plunger is pushed away from the touchscreen and the tactile surface on the plunger presses against the user. The pressing of the tactile surface provides feedback to the user.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41D 19/00 - Gloves

Abstract

A selector configured to provide tactile feedback to the user. The selector can be incorporated into the fingertip of a glove, or many other suitable locations. Different size selectors can be provided for different application. Arrays of multiple selectors can also be provided. An embodiment of the inventive device includes a central plunger lying behind a conductive covering. A tactile surface is provided on the rear of the plunger. A compressive element is positioned to urge the plunger toward the conductive covering. When a user presses the selector against a touchscreen, the plunger is pushed away from the touchscreen and the tactile surface on the plunger presses against the user. The pressing of the tactile surface provides feedback to the user.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41D 19/00 - Gloves
• G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer

Abstract

An exercise device where force is applied by computer-controlled actuators. The programmable nature of the force application allows the device to simulate weight-training devices and other useful exercise devices.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63B 24/00 - Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups
• A63B 21/00 - Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
• A63B 21/04 - Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using resilient force-resisters attached to static foundation
• A63B 21/02 - Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using resilient force-resisters
• A63B 23/12 - Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs
• A63B 23/035 - Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously

Goods & Services

Robotic exoskeleton suits for medical use

Abstract

A visual display for use by a user for navigation and obstacle avoidance. A typical user employs the invention in operating a vehicle. The display may include a conventional video feed. A visual arch metaphor is also provided. If used in conjunction with a video feed, the arch metaphor preferably extends from the left side of the video, over the top of the video, and on to the right side of the video. The ranging data is then correlated to a predefined color scale. The ranging data is also correlated to a position on the arch metaphor.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions

Abstract

A graphical user interface allowing one or more users to rapidly perceive and respond to varying operational states. Glyphs depicting differing levels of detail are provided for a top-level manager versus a lower-level operator. As applied to the vehicle paradigm, each individual glyph presents information as to the vehicle's current assigned task, mode, state, status, and its progress in completing that task. Each display shows multiple glyphs representing multiple vehicles. A vehicle m need of attention rises in the depiction whereas a vehicle not needing attention remains in a low position.

IPC Classes  ?

• G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
• G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• G06Q 10/10 - Office automationTime management
• G06Q 10/06 - Resources, workflows, human or project managementEnterprise or organisation planningEnterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling and coordinating a multi-component system. Each component in the system contains a computing device. Each computing device is controlled by software running on the computing device. A first portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control operations needed to coordinate the activities of all the components in the system. This first portion is known as a “coordinating process.” A second portion of the software resident on each computing devised is used to control local processes (local activities) specific to that component. Each component in the system is capable of hosting and running the coordinating process. The coordinating process continually cycles from component to component while it is running. The continuous cycling of the coordinating process presents the programmer with a virtual machine in which there is a single coordinating process operating with a global view although, in fact, the data and computation remain distributed across every component in the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 9/48 - Program initiatingProgram switching, e.g. by interrupt
• G05B 19/042 - Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for robotic control that allows an unbalanced pendulum robot to raise its Center of Mass and balance on two motorized wheels. The robot includes a pair of arms that are connected to the upper body of the robot through motorized joints. The method consists of a series of movements employing the arms of the robot to raise the robot to the upright position. The method comprises a control loop in which the motorized drives are included for dynamic balance of the robot and the control of the arm apparatus. The robot is first configured as a low Center of Mass four-wheeled vehicle, then its Center of Mass is raised using a combination of its wheels and the joint located at the attachment point of the arm apparatus and the robot body, between the rear and front wheels; the method then applies accelerations to the rear wheels to dynamically pivot and further raise the Center of Mass up and over the main drive wheels bringing the robot into a balancing pendulum configuration.

IPC Classes  ?

• B62D 61/12 - Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with variable number of ground-engaging wheels, e.g. with some wheels arranged higher than others, or with retractable wheels
• B25J 5/00 - Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages
• B25J 9/08 - Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by modular constructions

Abstract

A visual display for use by a user for navigation and obstacle avoidance. A typical user employs the invention in operating a vehicle. The display may include a conventional video feed. A visual arch metaphor is also provided. A ranging device mounted on the vehicle collects ranging data around the vehicle. As an example, the ranging device might collect 180 degrees of ranging data extending from the vehicle's left side, across the vehicle's front, and over to the vehicle's right side. The ranging data is correlated to a predefined color scale. The ranging data is also correlated to a position on the arch metaphor.

IPC Classes  ?

• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• B60T 7/22 - Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiationBrake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle
• G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots

Abstract

A method for visually depicting complex events. Software agents are preferably employed to assist the human operator by collecting, enriching, selecting, aggregating, and analyzing data so that patterns of interest can be visually flagged or otherwise emphasized in the visual display. Events are depicted as an “event flow” from a source surface to a destination surface. Intervening surfaces may also be defined. The point of origin on the source surface reveals some information about the event flow, as does the point of impact on the destination surface. The event flow may be mapped to one or more intervening surfaces in order to visually depict other characteristics of the event. The entire depiction is rendered in a simulated three-dimensional view. The user is preferably given the ability to pan, zoom, and reorient the vantage point from which the user “views” the depiction on the computer display.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 11/20 - Drawing from basic elements, e.g. lines or circles

Abstract

A robotic limb structure which is capable of achieving high speeds. In the context of a biped, the structure is used for a pair of hind limbs. The limb structure includes a primary driven link—such as a thigh pivoting about a hip joint in the case of a hind limb. Secondary links are pivotally connected to the primary driving link. Auxiliary links are provided to constrain the motion between the links. Elastic trim elements are also provided to define a “relaxed” state for the limb and to influence the resonance characteristics of the structure. The control system takes advantage of the resonant characteristics of the structure as a whole.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63H 3/20 - Dolls with parts moved due to movements of other parts, e.g. limbs
• A63H 11/18 - Figure toys which perform a realistic walking motion
• B25J 9/10 - Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by positioning means for manipulator elements

Abstract

A control system for a bipedal humanoid robot that utilizes certain fundamental characteristics of bipedal motion to provide a robust and relatively simple balancing and walking mechanism. The system primarily utilizes the concept of “capturability,” which is defined as the ability of the robot to come to a stop without falling by taking N or fewer steps. This ability is considered crucial to legged locomotion and is a useful, yet not overly restrictive criterion for stability. In the preferred embodiment, the bipedal robot is maintained in a 1-step capturable state. This means that future step-locating and driving decisions are made so that the robot may always be brought to a balanced halt with the taking of one step. Other embodiments maintain the bipedal robot in an N-step capturable state, in which the robot may always be brought to a balanced halt by taking N or fewer steps.

IPC Classes  ?

• G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
• B62D 57/032 - Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members with alternately or sequentially lifted supporting base and legVehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members with alternately or sequentially lifted feet or skid
• G05D 1/08 - Control of attitude, i.e. control of roll, pitch, or yaw

Abstract

A system and method for using multiple peer listeners in order to improve the ability to receive a transmitted signal. A peer link is established between the peer listeners. At least some of the peer listeners also have a data link to a sender communicating with an outside source. In the simplest embodiment, a peer listener receiving data over the sender data link communicates that data to one or more other peers which may have an impaired ability to presently utilize its own data link to the sender. In more complex embodiments, multiple peer listeners can receive and process portions of needed data over the data link to the sender, then communicate portions of the data to other peer listeners on an as-needed basis.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04H 20/71 - Wireless systems

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for robotic control that allows an unbalanced pendulum robot to raise its Center of Mass and balance on two motorized wheels. The robot includes a pair of arms that are connected to the upper body of the robot through motorized joints. The method consists of a series of movements employing the arms of the robot to raise the robot to the upright position. The method comprises a control loop in which the motorized drives are included for dynamic balance of the robot and the control of the arm apparatus. The robot is first configured as a low Center of Mass four-wheeled vehicle, then its Center of Mass is raised using a combination of its wheels and the joint located at the attachment point of the arm apparatus and the robot body, between the rear and front wheels; the method then applies accelerations to the rear wheels to dynamically pivot and further raise the Center of Mass up and over the main drive wheels bringing the robot into a balancing pendulum configuration.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 15/20 - Methods, circuits or devices for controlling the propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles, e.g. their traction-motor speed, to achieve a desired performanceAdaptation of control equipment on electrically-propelled vehicles for remote actuation from a stationary place, from alternative parts of the vehicle or from alternative vehicles of the same vehicle train for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• B60L 15/32 - Control or regulation of multiple-unit electrically-propelled vehicles

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling and coordinating a multi-component system. Each component in the system contains a computing device. Each computing device is controlled by software running on the computing device. A first portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control operations needed to coordinate the activities of all the components in the system. This first portion is known as a “coordinating process.” A second portion of the software resident on each computing device is used to control local processes (local activities) specific to that component. Each component in the system is capable of hosting and running the coordinating process. The coordinating process continually cycles from component to component while it is running. The continuous cycling of the coordinating process presents the programmer with a virtual machine in which there is a single coordinating process operating with a global view although, in fact, the data and computation remain distributed across every component in the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 9/46 - Multiprogramming arrangements
• G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
• G06F 9/48 - Program initiatingProgram switching, e.g. by interrupt
• G06F 9/54 - Interprogram communication

Abstract

An integrated flight instrument which provides unambiguous information regarding the motion of a hovering aircraft. The instrument accurately depicts motion in six degrees of freedom (roll, pitch, yaw, forward translation, lateral translation, and vertical translation), as well as aircraft power requirements and utilization.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 23/00 - Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraftCombined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration

Abstract

A system which allows a user to teach a computational device how to perform complex, repetitive tasks that the user usually would perform using the device's graphical user interface (GUI) often but not limited to being a web browser. The system includes software running on a user's computational device. The user “teaches” task steps by inputting natural language and demonstrating actions with the GUI. The system uses a semantic ontology and natural language processing to create an explicit representation of the task that is stored on the computer. After a complete task has been taught, the system is able to automatically execute the task in new situations. Because the task is represented in terms of the ontology and user's intentions, the system is able to adapt to changes in the computer code while still pursuing the objectives taught by the user.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 11/00 - Error detectionError correctionMonitoring