Patents by Inventor Ian H. Bernstein

Ian H. Bernstein 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).

  • Patent number: 9290220
    Abstract: A self-propelled device determines an orientation for its movement based on a pre-determined reference frame. A controller device is operable by a user to control the self-propelled device. The controller device includes a user interface for controlling at least a direction of movement of the self-propelled device. The self-propelled device is configured to signal the controller device information that indicates the orientation of the self-propelled device. The controller device is configured to orient the user interface, based on the information signaled from the self-propelled device, to reflect the orientation of the self-propelled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Brian Keith Smith
  • Publication number: 20160033967
    Abstract: A self-propelled device is provided including a drive system, a spherical housing, and a biasing mechanism. The drive system includes one or more motors that are contained within the spherical housing. The biasing mechanism actively forces the drive system to continuously engage an interior of the spherical housing in order to cause the spherical housing to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson
  • Publication number: 20160004253
    Abstract: A self-controlled device maintains a frame of reference about an x-, y- and z-axis. The self-controlled device processes an input to control the self-propelled device, the input being based on the x- and y-axis. The self-propelled device is controlled in its movement, including about each of the x-, y- and z-axis, based on the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, David E. Hygh
  • Publication number: 20150370257
    Abstract: A self-controlled device maintains a frame of reference about an x-, y- and z-axis. The self-controlled device processes an input to control the self-propelled device, the input being based on the x- and y-axis. The self-propelled device is controlled in its movement, including about each of the x-, y- and z-axis, based on the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, David E. Hygh
  • Publication number: 20150362919
    Abstract: A self-propelled device operates to interpret an input corresponding to a set of actions that are performed on a controller device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Brian Keith Smith, Jonathan Carroll
  • Patent number: 9211920
    Abstract: A system comprising a self-propelled device and an accessory device. The self-propelled device includes a spherical housing, and a drive system provided within the spherical housing to cause the self-propelled device to roll. When the self-propelled device rolls, the self-propelled device and the accessory device magnetically interact to maintain the accessory device in contact with a top position of the spherical housing relative to an underlying surface on which the spherical housing is rolling on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Chun Kong
  • Publication number: 20150344085
    Abstract: A system comprising a self-propelled device and an accessory device. The self-propelled device includes a spherical housing, and a drive system provided within the spherical housing to cause the self-propelled device to roll. When the self-propelled device rolls, the self-propelled device and the accessory device magnetically interact to maintain the accessory device in contact with a top position of the spherical housing relative to an underlying surface on which the spherical housing is rolling on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Chun Kong
  • Publication number: 20150338925
    Abstract: A system and method to cause associated connected devices to perform gestures in response to user interactions with a connected device paired with the associated connected devices. The method includes receiving a gesture signal indicating a user interaction with a first connected device, identifying one or more connected devices associated with the first connected device, and, based on the user interaction, generating and transmitting a response signal to cause the one or more associated connected devices to perform a specified gesture signifying the user interaction with the first connected device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Paul Berberian, John Blakely, Isaac Davenport
  • Patent number: 9193404
    Abstract: A self-propelled device is provided including a drive system, a spherical housing, and a biasing mechanism. The drive system includes one or more motors that are contained within the spherical housing. The biasing mechanism actively forces the drive system to continuously engage an interior of the spherical housing in order to cause the spherical housing to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson
  • Patent number: 9150263
    Abstract: A self-controlled device maintains a frame of reference about an x-, y- and z-axis. The self-controlled device processes an input to control the self-propelled device, the input being based on the x- and y-axis. The self-propelled device is controlled in its movement, including about each of the x-, y- and z-axis, based on the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, David E. Hygh
  • Patent number: 9114838
    Abstract: A self-propelled device operates to interpret an input corresponding to a set of actions that are performed on a controller device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Brian Keith Smith, Jonathan Carroll
  • Publication number: 20150224941
    Abstract: A self-propelled device includes a spherical housing and an internal drive system including one or more motors. The internal drive system acts to provide power to an interior surface of the spherical housing, thereby causing the self-propelled device to move. A biasing assembly can be included to enable the internal drive system to continuously engage an inner surface of the spherical housing. An external accessory magnetically interacts with interior magnetic components through the spherical housing such that as the self-propelled device rotates and maneuvers, the accessory component maintains a positional relationship to a top portion of the self-propelled device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Kong Chun, Ross MacGregor
  • Patent number: 9090214
    Abstract: A self-propelled device includes a spherical housing and an internal drive system including one or more motors. The internal drive system acts to provide power to an interior surface of the spherical housing, thereby causing the self-propelled device to move. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the internal drive system and includes a spring and a spring end in contact with the inner surface of the spherical housing. An accessory component magnetically interacts with the biasing mechanism through the spherical housing such that as the self-propelled device rotates along, the accessory component remains stable with respect to the biasing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Orbotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Mickey Kong Chun
  • Publication number: 20150175202
    Abstract: A self-propelled device is disclosed that includes a center of mass drive system. The self-propelled device includes a substantially cylindrical body and wheels, with each wheel having a diameter substantially equivalent to the body. The self-propelled device may further include an internal drive system with a center of mass below a rotational axis of the wheels. Operation and maneuvering of the self-propelled device may be performed via active displacement of the center of mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Orbotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross MacGregor, Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson
  • Patent number: 9050932
    Abstract: A self-propelled device includes a spherical housing and an internal drive system including one or more motors. The internal drive system acts to provide power to an interior surface of the spherical housing, thereby causing the self-propelled device to move. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the internal drive system and includes a spring and a spring end in contact with the inner surface of the spherical housing. An accessory component magnetically interacts with the biasing mechanism through the spherical housing such that as the self-propelled device rotates along, the accessory component remains stable with respect to the biasing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Orbotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Mickey Kong Chun
  • Publication number: 20140345957
    Abstract: A self-propelled device includes a spherical housing and an internal drive system including one or more motors. The internal drive system acts to provide power to an interior surface of the spherical housing, thereby causing the self-propelled device to move. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the internal drive system and includes a spring and a spring end in contact with the inner surface of the spherical housing. An accessory component magnetically interacts with the biasing mechanism through the spherical housing such that as the self-propelled device rotates along, the accessory component remains stable with respect to the biasing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Mickey Kong Chun
  • Publication number: 20140236393
    Abstract: A self-propelled device determines an orientation for its movement based on a pre-determined reference frame. A controller device is operable by a user to control the self-propelled device. The controller device includes a user interface for controlling at least a direction of movement of the self-propelled device. The self-propelled device is configured to signal the controller device information that indicates the orientation of the self-propelled device. The controller device is configured to orient the user interface, based on the information signaled from the self-propelled device, to reflect the orientation of the self-propelled device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Orbotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Brian Keith Smith
  • Patent number: 8751063
    Abstract: A self-propelled device determines an orientation for its movement based on a pre-determined reference frame. A controller device is operable by a user to control the self-propelled device. The controller device includes a user interface for controlling at least a direction of movement of the self-propelled device. The self-propelled device is configured to signal the controller device information that indicates the orientation of the self-propelled device. The controller device is configured to orient the user interface, based on the information signaled from the self-propelled device, to reflect the orientation of the self-propelled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Orbotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Brian Keith Smith
  • Publication number: 20140020964
    Abstract: A self-propelled device is provided including a drive system, a spherical housing, and a biasing mechanism. The drive system includes one or more motors that are contained within the spherical housing. The biasing mechanism actively forces the drive system to continuously engage an interior of the spherical housing in order to cause the spherical housing to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Orbotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson
  • Patent number: 8571781
    Abstract: A self-propelled device is provided including a drive system, a spherical housing, and a biasing mechanism. The drive system includes one or more motors that are contained within the spherical housing. The biasing mechanism actively forces the drive system to continuously engage an interior of the spherical housing in order to cause the spherical housing to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Orbotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson