Patents by Inventor James Allard
James Allard 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: 8874300Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for obstacle avoidance. In some embodiments, a robotically controlled vehicle capable of operating in one or more modes may be provided. Examples of such modes include teleoperation, waypoint navigation, follow, and manual mode. The vehicle may include an obstacle detection and avoidance system capable of being implemented with one or more of the vehicle modes. A control system may be provided to operate and control the vehicle in the one or more modes. The control system may include a robotic control unit and a vehicle control unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: Deere & Company, iRobot CorporationInventors: James Allard, Kathleen A. Wienhold, William Robert Norris, Anthony Francis Catalfano
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Publication number: 20140278865Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to directly distributing an offer from a merchant to a user based on a relationship established via the Internet. More specifically, the user can request and/or accept a relationship with an entity in which such relationship is leveraged by the merchant to either directly communicate an offer to such user and/or directly communicate an offer to such user and one or more relationships associated with such user. Moreover, based on the one or more relationships redeeming or using the offer, the user can be provided with a specific offer and/or an offer customizable to his or her preferences within one or more guidelines from the merchant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: SPLASHCO, INC.Inventors: Anush KUMAR, Arvind SRINIVASAN, Steve ROSEN, Naman SINGHAL, James ALLARD
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Patent number: 8599645Abstract: Detecting an object using sound waves includes outputting a sound wave from a transducer, receiving an echo after outputting the sound wave, obtaining a threshold value based on the echo and plural other echoes that are within a predetermined range of the echo, and determining if the echo is a result of the sound wave based on the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Mark J. Chiappetta, James Allard
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Patent number: 8473140Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and systems having an interface for payloads that allows integration of various payloads with relative ease. There is a vehicle control system for controlling an autonomous vehicle, receiving data, and transmitting a control signal on at least one network. A payload is adapted to detachably connect to the autonomous vehicle, the payload comprising a network interface configured to receive the control signal from the vehicle control system over the at least one network. The vehicle control system may encapsulate payload data and transmit the payload data over the at least one network, including Ethernet or CAN networks. The payload may be a laser scanner, a radio, a chemical detection system, or a Global Positioning System unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignees: Deere & Company, iRobot CorporationInventors: William Robert Norris, James Allard, Jeffery Scott Puhalla, Kathleen A. Wienhold
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Patent number: 8295125Abstract: Detecting an object using sound waves includes outputting a sound wave from a transducer, receiving an echo after outputting the sound wave, obtaining a threshold value based on the echo and plural other echoes that are within a predetermined range of the echo, and determining if the echo is a result of the sound wave based on the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Mark Chiappetta, James Allard
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Publication number: 20120116587Abstract: Detecting an object using sound waves includes outputting a sound wave from a transducer, receiving an echo after outputting the sound wave, obtaining a threshold value based on the echo and plural other echoes that are within a predetermined range of the echo, and determining if the echo is a result of the sound wave based on the threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Mark Chiappetta, James Allard
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Publication number: 20120109423Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
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Publication number: 20120046820Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for obstacle avoidance. In some embodiments, a robotically controlled vehicle capable of operating in one or more modes may be provided. Examples of such modes include teleoperation, waypoint navigation, follow, and manual mode. The vehicle may include an obstacle detection and avoidance system capable of being implemented with one or more of the vehicle modes. A control system may be provided to operate and control the vehicle in the one or more modes. The control system may include a robotic control unit and a vehicle control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Inventors: James ALLARD, Kathleen A. WIENHOLD, William Robert NORRIS, Anthony Francis CATALFANO
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Patent number: 8107318Abstract: Detecting an object using sound waves includes outputting a sound wave from a transducer, receiving an echo after outputting the sound wave, obtaining a threshold value based on the echo and plural other echoes that are within a predetermined range of the echo, and determining if the echo is a result of the sound wave based on the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Mark Chiappetta, James Allard
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Patent number: 8078338Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
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Patent number: 8020657Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for obstacle avoidance. In some embodiments, a robotically controlled vehicle capable of operating in one or more modes may be provided. Examples of such modes include teleoperation, waypoint navigation, follow, and manual mode. The vehicle may include an obstacle detection and avoidance system capable of being implemented with one or more of the vehicle modes. A control system may be provided to operate and control the vehicle in the one or more modes. The control system may include a robotic control unit and a vehicle control unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignees: Deere & Company, iRobot CorporationInventors: James Allard, Kathleen A. Wienhold, William Robert Norris, Anthony Francis Catalfano
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Patent number: 7979175Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Robert Todd Pack, Selma Svendsen
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Publication number: 20110071718Abstract: Systems and methods for switching between autonomous and manual operation of a vehicle are described. A mechanical control system can receive manual inputs from a mechanical operation member to operate the vehicle in manual mode. An actuator can receive autonomous control signals generated by a controller. When the actuator is engaged, it operates the vehicle in an autonomous mode, and when disengaged, the vehicle is operated in manual mode. Operating the vehicle in an autonomous mode can include automatically controlling steering, braking, throttle, and transmission. A system may also allow the vehicle to be operated via remote command.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: William Robert Norris, James Allard, Mikhail O. Filippov, Robert Dale Haun, Christopher David Glenn Turner, Seth Gilbertson, Andrew Julian Norby
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Patent number: 7892437Abstract: A method of managing water is provided, in which the water is discharged from an aggregate plant, and therefore contains a large number of fines. The water is first passed through a mesh screen to remove large particles and then collected in a sump. From the sump the water is pumped to a centrifugal cyclone, where some of the fines are separated from the water. Flocculent is then applied to the water, before the water is collected in a pond.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Allard Contractors Ltd.Inventors: Barry Allard, James Allard
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Patent number: 7894951Abstract: Systems and methods for switching between autonomous and manual operation of a vehicle are described. A mechanical control system can receive manual inputs from a mechanical operation member to operate the vehicle in manual mode. An actuator can receive autonomous control signals generated by a controller. When the actuator is engaged, it operates the vehicle in an autonomous mode, and when disengaged, the vehicle is operated in manual mode. Operating the vehicle in an autonomous mode can include automatically controlling steering, braking, throttle, and transmission. A system may also allow the vehicle to be operated via remote command.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignees: Deere & Company, iRobot CorporationInventors: William Robert Norris, James Allard, Mikhail O. Filippov, Robert Dale Haun, Christopher David Glenn Turner, Seth Gilbertson, Andrew Julian Norby
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Publication number: 20100256813Abstract: Detecting an object using sound waves includes outputting a sound wave from a transducer, receiving an echo after outputting the sound wave, obtaining a threshold value based on the echo and plural other echoes that are within a predetermined range of the echo, and determining if the echo is a result of the sound wave based on the threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Mark Chiappetta, James Allard
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Patent number: 7688676Abstract: Detecting an object using sound waves includes outputting a sound wave from a transducer, receiving an echo after outputting the sound wave, obtaining a threshold value based on the echo and plural other echoes that are within a predetermined range of the echo, and determining if the echo is a result of the sound wave based on the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Mark J. Chiappetta, James Allard
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Publication number: 20090198400Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Robert Todd Pack, Selma Svendsen
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Patent number: 7499776Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Robert Todd Pack, Selma Svendsen
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Patent number: 7499775Abstract: System and method for tracking obstacles by an autonomous vehicle. Localization sensors (i.e., sensors to measure pitch, roll, and yaw, and systems including an inertial navigation system, a compass, a global positioning system, or an odometer) detect the position of the vehicle. Perception sensors (e.g., LIDAR, stereo vision, infrared vision, radar, or sonar) assess the environment about the vehicle. Using these sensors, locations of terrain features relative to the vehicle are computed and kept up-to-date. The vehicle trajectory is adjusted to avoid terrain features that are obstacles in the path of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Misha Filippov, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Robert Todd Pack, Selma Svendsen