Patents by Inventor Björn Mannefred

Björn Mannefred has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230185309
    Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a robotic work tool (100) comprising a controller (110), the controller (110) being configured to determine an area locality (310) associated with a hindrance; determine a classifier (C) associated with the area locality (310); and determine an action for the robotic work tool (100), wherein the action is based on the classifier (C).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Tommy Glimberg, Stefan Grufman, Fredrik Kallström, Mattias Kamfors, Marcus Liljedahl, Björn Mannefred, Beppe Hellsin
  • Patent number: 11666010
    Abstract: Some example embodiments may provide a capability for intelligent control or management of a number of assets in connection with yard maintenance with the assistance or inclusion of a management unit having distributed properties. Thus, for example, sensor equipment and task performance equipment operation may be coordinated between local management and remote management entities for efficient monitoring and maintaining of lawn wellness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Tomas Wykman, Fredrik Edholm, Eric Lennings, Pär Christensson, Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Olle Markusson
  • Publication number: 20230034100
    Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a robotic work tool (100), the robotic work tool (100) being configured to determine (410) that the robotic work tool (100) has entered a state of limited movement; determine (420) an exit path; and exit (430) the state of limited movement by navigating the exit path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jonas Holgersson, Stefan Bergström, Hugo Johansson, Erik Starhagen, Claes Johannesson, Marcus Stjärnås, Fredrik Klackensjö, Tommy Glimberg, Stefan Grufman, Mattias Kamfors, Marcus Liljedahl, Björn Mannefred, Beppe Hellsin
  • Publication number: 20230010420
    Abstract: A method for operating a robotic work tool (1) comprising a sensor for detecting a boundary wire (3) demarcating a work area (2). The method comprises the steps of detecting (9) at least a partial crossing of the boundary wire (3), allowing (12) a crossing of the boundary wire (3) by an offset, switching (8) between a first offset setting and at least a second offset setting of the work tool (1) based on one or more events (7). A robotic work tool (1) comprises a controller for controlling the operation of the robotic working tool (1). The controller is configured to: control the work tool (1) to operate within the work area (2), determine whether the work tool (1) crosses the boundary wire (3), allow a crossing of the wire (3) by the offset, and switch (8) between at least two offset settings stored in the work tool (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Tommy Glimberg, Stefan Grufman, Fredrik Kallström, Mattias Kamfors, Marcus Liljedahl, Björn Mannefred, Beppe Hellsin
  • Publication number: 20220342425
    Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) for avoiding trails from a robotic work tool (100) in a transit zone (300) in which the robotic work tool (100) is allowed to travel from a start point (320) to a goal point (330) along a travel path (310). The system (200) comprises at least one memory (120,220) configured to store information about the transit zone (300), at least one robotic work tool (100) configured to travel along the travel path (310) and at least one controller (110,210) for controlling operation of the robotic work tool (100). The controller (110,210) is configured to receive, from the memory (120,220), information about the transit zone (300) and generate, based on the transit zone (300), the travel path (310) for the robotic work tool (100) from the start point (320) to the goal point (330). The generated travel path (310) is configured to differ from previously generated travel paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Tommy Glimberg, Stefan Grufman, Fredrik Kallström, Mattias Kamfors, Marcus Liljedahl, Björn Mannefred, Beppe Hesssin
  • Patent number: 11126193
    Abstract: A method for robotic discovery and use of beacons for navigation may include performing a beacon position determination process with respect to at least one beacon usable for range determination by a robotic vehicle responsive to initiation of operation of the robotic vehicle. The method may further include determining a position of the at least one beacon based on the position determination process, and employing the position of the at least one beacon as determined for position information determination of the robotic vehicle during continued operation of the robotic vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Björn Mannefred, Stefan Grufman, Johan Deimert
  • Publication number: 20210200228
    Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) for defining a working area (205) in which a robotic work tool (100) is subsequently intended to operate. The robotic work tool system (200) comprises a robotic work tool (100), at least one controller (210) and at least one memory (220). The robotic work tool (100) comprises at least one sensor unit (170) configured to collect sensed input datawhile the robotic work tool (100) is driven around the working area (205) to preliminarily define a perimeter around the working area (205). The at least one controller (210) is configured to establish a preliminary working area perimeter (250). The at least one memory (220) is configured to store a perimeter adjustment function and instructions that cause the at least one controller (210) to adjust the perimeter of the working area (205) by applying the stored perimeter adjustment function to the established preliminary working area perimeter (250)and thereby produce an adjusted working area perimeter (260).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Fredrik Kallström, Patrik Jägenstedt, Jonas Agerhall, Kent Askenmalm, Göran Calás
  • Publication number: 20210092912
    Abstract: Some example embodiments may provide a capability for intelligent control or management of a number of assets in connection with yard maintenance with the assistance or inclusion of a management unit having distributed properties. Thus, for example, sensor equipment and task performance equipment operation may be coordinated between local management and remote management entities for efficient monitoring and maintaining of lawn wellness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Tomas Wykman, Fredrik Edholm, Eric Lennings, Pär Christensson, Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Olle Markusson
  • Patent number: 10869432
    Abstract: Some example embodiments may provide a capability for intelligent control or management of a number of assets in connection with yard maintenance with the assistance or inclusion of a management unit having distributed properties. Thus, for example, sensor equipment and task performance equipment operation may be coordinated between local management and remote management entities for efficient monitoring and maintaining of lawn wellness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Tomas Wykman, Fredrik Edholm, Eric Lennings, Pär Christensson, Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Olle Markusson
  • Patent number: 10852738
    Abstract: A method of navigating a self-propelled robotic tool comprises transmitting a wireless signal (66) along a first signal path between the robotic tool (14) and a first wireless interface of a base station (16) remote from the robotic tool (14); transmitting a wireless signal (66) along a second signal path between the robotic tool (14) and a second wireless interface of the base station (16), said second wireless interface being spatially separated from the first wireless interface by a separation distance; upon receipt, comparing the signal transmitted along the first signal path with the signal transmitted along the second signal path to obtain a propagation time difference between the signal transmitted along the first signal path and the signal transmitted along the second signal path, said propagation time difference defining a path length difference between said first and second signal paths; and calculating, based on the separation distance and the path length difference, a value representative of a bea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Björn Mannefred, Stefan Grufman
  • Patent number: 10806075
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include one or more functional components configured to execute a lawn care function, a sensor network comprising one or more sensors configured to detect conditions proximate to the robotic vehicle, an object detection module configured to 5 detect objects proximate to the robotic vehicle using contact-less detection, a positioning module configured to determine robotic vehicle position, and a mapping module configured to generate map data regarding a parcel on which the robotic vehicle operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Johan Deimert
  • Patent number: 10777000
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle may be configured to incorporate multiple sensors to make the robotic vehicle capable of collecting and uploading image data over time into the cloud to generate interactive garden models. In this regard, in some cases, the robotic vehicle may include an onboard vehicle positioning module and sensor network that may work together to give the robotic vehicle a collective understanding of its environment, and enable it to autonomously collect and upload image data for corresponding locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred
  • Patent number: 10643377
    Abstract: A method for mapping and planning a parcel or garden may include receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel. The method may further include generating a base-map of the parcel based on the information received and providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the base-map. The method may further include enabling an operator to generate a modified-map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Mikael Willgert, Anders Mattsson, Peter Reigo
  • Patent number: 10606279
    Abstract: A robotic work tool (100) comprising an altitude sensor (185) for providing a current altitude reading (HRL) and a controller (110) configured to receive the current altitude reading (HRL) from the altitude sensor (185); determine an altitude (H) based on the current altitude reading (HRL); determine a current position; and generating a map indicating elevations by including the determined altitude (H) for the current position in the map. A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a robotic work tool (100) and a reference altitude sensor (285) for providing a reference altitude reading (HCS), wherein the robotic work tool (100) is further configured to receive the reference altitude reading (HCS) from the reference altitude sensor (285); and determine the altitude (H) based on the current altitude reading (HRL) and the reference altitude reading (HCS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Magnus Öhrlund
  • Patent number: 10448565
    Abstract: A method for creating a visualization of a parcel or garden may include receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel. The method may further include generating a model of the parcel based on the information received, providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the model, and enabling an operator to interact with the graphical representation to view one or more content items associated with respective ones of the one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Björn Mannefred, Stefan Grufman, Mikael Willgert
  • Patent number: 10338602
    Abstract: A method for recording data from at least one sensor of a robotic vehicle responsive to the robotic vehicle transiting a portion of a parcel and determining a confidence score associated with the recorded data for each of a plurality of potential detection events. The confidence score may correspond to a probability that the recorded data corresponds to an object or feature. The method may further include generating map data comprising one or more objects or features correlated to potential detection events based at least in part on the confidence score of the respective objects or features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Hans Forsberg
  • Patent number: 10310510
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle may be configured to incorporate multiple sensors to make the robotic vehicle capable of detecting grass by measuring edge data and/or frequency data. In this regard, in some cases, the robotic vehicle may include an onboard positioning module, a detection module, and a mapping module that may work together to give the robotic vehicle a comprehensive understanding of its current location and of the features or objects located in its environment. Moreover, the robotic vehicle may include sensors that enable the modules to collect and process data that can be used to identify grass on a parcel on which the robotic vehicle operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Björn Mannefred, Stefan Grufman, Anders Mattsson
  • Publication number: 20190025847
    Abstract: A method of navigating a self-propelled robotic tool comprises transmitting a wireless signal (66) along a first signal path between the robotic tool (14) and a first wireless interface of a base station (16) remote from the robotic tool (14); transmitting a wireless signal (66) along a second signal path between the robotic tool (14) and a second wireless interface of the base station (16), said second wireless interface being spatially separated from the first wireless interface by a separation distance; upon receipt, comparing the signal transmitted along the first signal path with the signal transmitted along the second signal path to obtain a propagation time difference between the signal transmitted along the first signal path and the signal transmitted along the second signal path, said propagation time difference defining a path length difference between said first and second signal paths; and calculating, based on the separation distance and the path length difference, a value representative of a bea
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Björn Mannefred, Stefan Grufman
  • Publication number: 20180213731
    Abstract: Some example embodiments may provide a capability for intelligent control or management of a number of assets in connection with yard maintenance with the assistance or inclusion of a management unit having distributed properties. Thus, for example, sensor equipment and task performance equipment operation may be coordinated between local management and remote management entities for efficient monitoring and maintaining of lawn wellness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Tomas Wykman, Fredrik Edholm, Eric Lennings, Pär Christensson, Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Olle Markusson
  • Publication number: 20180103579
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include one or more functional components configured to execute a lawn care function, a sensor network comprising one or more sensors configured to detect conditions proximate to the robotic vehicle, an object detection module configured to 5 detect objects proximate to the robotic vehicle using contact-less detection, a positioning module configured to determine robotic vehicle position, and a mapping module configured to generate map data regarding a parcel on which the robotic vehicle operates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Johan Deimert