IP Library Granted Patent US 9,999,976
Granted Patent B1
US 9,999,976 · App. 14/927,158 · Granted Jun 19, 2018

System and method for instructing a device

Inventor: Neal Checka (Waltham, MA)
Assignee: VECNA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
B25J9/1697B25J13/00B25J13/06B65G1/137G06N3/00H04N7/181B25J11/0005G05B2219/33056G05B2219/35444G05B2219/40391G05B2219/40413Y10S901/06
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,999,976
App. No.
14/927,158
Granted
Jun 19, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

A system and method of instructing a device is disclosed. The system includes a signal source for providing at least one visual signal where the at least one visual signal is substantially indicative of at least one activity to be performed by the device. A visual signal capturing element captures the at least one visual signal and communicates the at least one visual signal to the device where the device interprets the at least one visual signal and performs the activity autonomously and without requiring any additional signals or other information from the signal source.

Claims (7)

1. A device for providing instructions to a fully autonomous robot from an individual, the device comprising:

at least one camera member configured to capture a visual signal provided by the individual, the visual signal substantially indicative of a specific physical motion that the individual wants the robot to accomplish, the physical motion enabling a physical interaction between the robot and an item discrete from both the device and the robot, wherein the visual signal is configured to be varied by the individual depending on physical motions of the robot during monitoring of the motion of the robot;

an interpreter configured to receive data indicative of the visual signal captured by the at least one camera member, the interpreter further configured to process the data to provide command data directly to the robot so that the robot can perform the physical motion autonomously and without requiring any additional signals or other information from the individual; and

a communication element configured to communicate the command data provided by the interpreter to the robot.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device is discrete from and physically detached from the robot.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the physical motion of the robot at least enables the robot to move the item from a first location to a second location.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the physical motion of the robot is chosen by the apparatus to be the most efficient energy consumption path regardless of the physical motion in the visual signal provided by the individual.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2025
From: TRIPLEPOINT CAPITAL LLC
To: VECNA ROBOTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 071220/0483 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2024
From: VECNA ROBOTICS, INC.; VECNA ROBOTICS INTERCO LLC
To: STIFEL BANK
Reel/Frame 067472/0120 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2024
From: VECNA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: VECNA ROBOTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067020/0397 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2022
From: COMERICA BANK
To: VECNA ROBOTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062202/0036 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 19, 2022
From: VECNA ROBOTICS, INC.
To: TRIPLEPOINT CAPITAL LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 062156/0617 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2020
From: VECNA ROBOTICS, INC.
To: COMERICA BANK
Reel/Frame 053427/0953 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 2, 2018
From: CHECKA, NEAL
To: VECNA TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Reel/Frame 045407/0065 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation 14062973 · Oct 25, 2013