Patents by Inventor Daniel N. Ozick
Daniel N. Ozick 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).
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Patent number: 8528157Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning assembly housing and at least one driven sweeper brush. The robot includes a controller and a removable sweeper bin configured to receive debris agitated by the driven sweeper brush. The sweeper bin includes an emitter disposed on an interior surface of the bin and a receiver disposed remotely from the emitter on the interior surface of the bin and configured to receive an emitter signal. The emitter and the receiver are disposed such that a threshold level of accumulation of debris in the sweeper bin blocks the receiver from receiving emitter emissions. The robot includes a bin controller disposed in the sweeper bin and monitoring a detector signal and initiating a bin full routine upon determining a bin debris accumulation level requiring service.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Mark Schnittman, Daniel N. Ozick, Gregg W. Landry
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Publication number: 20130211589Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Mark J. Chiappetta, Joseph L. Jones
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Patent number: 8476861Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick
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Patent number: 8428778Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Mark J. Chiappetta, Joseph L. Jones
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Patent number: 8417383Abstract: A coverage robot includes a drive configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, a stasis indication wheel rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to a direction of forward travel, and a suspension supporting the wheel. The stasis indication wheel defines a first reflective portion and a second reflective portion. The second reflective portion is substantially less reflective than the first reflective portion. The suspension permits movement of the wheel in a direction other than rotation about the first axis. A signal emitter is disposed remotely from the wheel and positioned to direct a signal that sequentially is intercepted by the first and second reflective portions of the wheel. A signal receiver is positioned to receive the reflected signal by the rotating wheel. Communication between the emitter and the receiver is affected by rolling transitions between the first and second reflective portions during permitted movement of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Daniel N. Ozick, Duane L. Gilbert, Jr.
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Patent number: 8390251Abstract: 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. Also disclosed are systems and methods for confirming a presence of a robotic device docked with a charger by recognizing a load formed by a circuit in the charger combined with a complementary circuit in the robotic device.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 8386081Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Mark J. Chiappetta, Joseph L. Jones
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Patent number: 8380350Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot system for bounded areas including a navigation beacon and an autonomous coverage robot. The navigation beacon has a gateway beacon emitter arranged to transmit a gateway marking emission with the navigation beacon disposed within a gateway between the first bounded area and an adjacent second bounded area. The autonomous coverage robot includes a beacon emission sensor responsive to the beacon emission, and a drive system configured to maneuver the robot about the first bounded area in a cleaning mode in which the robot is redirected in response to detecting the gateway marking emission. The drive system is also configured to maneuver the robot through the gateway into the second bounded area in a migration mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Daniel N. Ozick, Andrea M. Okerholm, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Michael J. Halloran, Paul E. Sandin, Chikyung Won
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Patent number: 8378613Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick
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Patent number: 8374721Abstract: A power-saving robot system includes at least one peripheral device and a mobile robot. The peripheral device includes a controller having an active mode and a hibernation mode, and a wireless communication component capable of activation in the hibernation mode. A controller of the robot has an activating routine that communicates with and temporarily activates the peripheral device, via wireless communication, from the hibernation mode. In another aspect, a robot system includes a network data bridge and a mobile robot. The network data bridge includes a broadband network interface, a wireless command interface, and a data bridge component. The data bridge component extracts serial commands received via the broadband network interface from an internet protocol, applies a command protocol thereto, and broadcasts the serial commands via the wireless interface. The mobile robot includes a wireless command communication component that receives the serial commands transmitted from the network data bridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Michael J. Halloran, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Tony L. Campbell, Jason S. Walker, Paul E. Sandin, John N. Billington, Jr., Daniel N. Ozick
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Patent number: 8359703Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a body having at least one outer wall, a drive system disposed on the body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface, and a cleaning assembly carried by the body. The cleaning assembly includes first and second cleaning rollers rotatably coupled to the body, a suction assembly having a channel disposed adjacent at least one of the cleaning rollers, and a container in fluid communication with the channel. The container is configured to collect debris drawn into the channel. The suction assembly is configured to draw debris removed from the work surface by at least one of the cleaning rollers into the channel, and the container has a wall common with the at least one outer wall of the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Selma Svendsen, Daniel N. Ozick, Christopher M. Casey, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Tony L. Campbell, Chikyung Won, Christopher John Morse, Scott Thomas Burnett
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Patent number: 8271129Abstract: A power-saving robot system includes at least one peripheral device and a mobile robot. The peripheral device includes a controller having an active mode and a hibernation mode, and a wireless communication component capable of activation in the hibernation mode. A controller of the robot has an activating routine that communicates with and temporarily activates the peripheral device, via wireless communication, from the hibernation mode. In another aspect, a robot system includes a network data bridge and a mobile robot. The network data bridge includes a broadband network interface, a wireless command interface, and a data bridge component. The data bridge component extracts serial commands received via the broadband network interface from an internet protocol, applies a command protocol thereto, and broadcasts the serial commands via the wireless interface. The mobile robot includes a wireless command communication component that receives the serial commands transmitted from the network data bridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Michael J. Halloran, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Tony L. Campbell, Jason S. Walker, Paul E. Sandin, John N. Billington, Jr., Daniel N. Ozick
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Patent number: 8253368Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick
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Publication number: 20110077802Abstract: A power-saving robot system includes at least one peripheral device and a mobile robot. The peripheral device includes a controller having an active mode and a hibernation mode, and a wireless communication component capable of activation in the hibernation mode. A controller of the robot has an activating routine that communicates with and temporarily activates the peripheral device, via wireless communication, from the hibernation mode. In another aspect, a robot system includes a network data bridge and a mobile robot. The network data bridge includes a broadband network interface, a wireless command interface, and a data bridge component. The data bridge component extracts serial commands received via the broadband network interface from an internet protocol, applies a command protocol thereto, and broadcasts the serial commands via the wireless interface. The mobile robot includes a wireless command communication component that receives the serial commands transmitted from the network data bridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Michael J. Halloran, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Tony L. Campbell, Jason S. Walker, Paul E. Sandin, John N. Billington, JR., Daniel N. Ozick
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Publication number: 20110004339Abstract: A navigation beacon controls movement of a mobile robot in first and second areas. The navigation beacon includes a portable housing, a power source, and an emitter. The emitter is operable to emit a gateway marking emission when the robot is within a field of detection that extends between the areas. The gateway marking emission is detectable by the robot and prevents the robot from moving from one of the areas, through the field of detection, to the other of the areas. A switch is operable to switch the navigation beacon to be in an OFF mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in an OFF state, a confinement mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in an ON state, and a navigation mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in the ON state and automatically switches to the OFF state in response to a predetermined condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel N. OZICK, Andrea M. OKERHOLM, Jeffrey W. MAMMEN, Michael J. HALLORAN, Paul E. SANDIN, Chikyung WON
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Publication number: 20100063628Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Mark J. Chiappetta, Joseph L. Jones
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Publication number: 20100049364Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Mark J. Chiappetta, Joseph L. Jones
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Publication number: 20100037418Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a body, a drive system disposed on the body, and a cleaning assembly disposed on the body and configured to engage a floor surface while the robot is maneuvered across the floor surface. The cleaning assembly includes a driven cleaning roller, a cleaning bin disposed on the body for receiving debris agitated by the cleaning roller, and an air mover. The cleaning bin includes a cleaning bin body having a cleaning bin entrance disposed adjacent to the cleaning roller and a roller scraper disposed on the cleaning bin body for engaging the cleaning roller. The cleaning bin body has a holding portion in pneumatic communication with the cleaning bin entrance, and the air mover is operable to move air into the cleaning bin entrance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Patrick Alan Hussey, Robert Paul Roy, Rogelio Manfred Neumann, Selma Svendsen, Daniel N. Ozick, Christopher M. Casey, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Tony L. Campbell, Chikyung Won, Christopher John Morse, Scott Thomas Burnett
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Publication number: 20090292393Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: Christopher Casey, Matthew Cross, Daniel N. Ozick, Joseph L. Jones
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Publication number: 20090254218Abstract: A robot lawmnower includes a body, a drive system carried by the body, at least one caster wheel supporting the body, a grass cutter carried by the body, a controller in communication with the drive system, and a bump sensor in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to maneuver the robot to turn in place and to redirect the robot in response to the bump sensor sensing contact with an obstacle. The drive system is configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn and includes differentially driven right and left drive wheels positioned rearward of a transverse center axis defined by the body. The at least one caster wheel is positioned substantially forward of the right and left drive wheels, and the grass cutter is positioned at least partially forward of the right and left drive wheels and at least partially behind the at least one caster wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: PAUL E. SANDIN, JOSEPH L. JONES, DANIEL N. OZICK, DAVID A. COHEN, DAVID M. LEWIS, JR., CLARA VU, ZIVTHAN A. DUBROVSKY, JOSHUA B. PRENETA, JEFFREY W. MAMMEN, DUANE L. GILBERT, JR., TONY L. CAMPBELL, JOHN BERGMAN, MARK J. CHAIAPPETTA