Patents by Inventor James Kuffner

James Kuffner 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: 11993119
    Abstract: A robot includes a body having an internal opening. The robot further includes a first wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening. The robot further includes a second wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening. The robot further includes a sensor configured to determine a location of the robot. The robot further includes a controller configured to control each of the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein in response to the location of the robot being at a predetermined location, the controller is configured to cause the second wheel to deploy out of the internal opening and to cause the first wheel to retract into the internal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: James Kuffner, Satoshi Kagami
  • Publication number: 20230064738
    Abstract: A robot includes a body having an internal opening. The robot further includes a first wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening. The robot further includes a second wheel configured to deploy out of the internal opening and to retract into the internal opening. The robot further includes a sensor configured to determine a location of the robot. The robot further includes a controller configured to control each of the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein in response to the location of the robot being at a predetermined location, the controller is configured to cause the second wheel to deploy out of the internal opening and to cause the first wheel to retract into the internal opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: James KUFFNER, Satoshi KAGAMI
  • Patent number: 10996338
    Abstract: According to aspects of the disclosed subject matter, an active non-visible reflective system can include one or more retroreflective sections coupled to one or more predetermined locations on an object designated for active non-visible reflection. The one or more retroreflective sections can be configured to actively reflect at least a portion of a predetermined frequency of incoming radiation back to a source of the incoming radiation, the incoming radiation being non-visible, wherein the one or more predetermined locations are illuminated. Additionally, the one or more retroreflective sections can be further configured to enable a perception system to determine that one or more retroreflectors are detected in response to the illumination, and enable processing circuitry communicably coupled to the perception system to detect the illuminated object defined by the one or more detected retroreflective sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventor: James Kuffner
  • Publication number: 20190079194
    Abstract: According to aspects of the disclosed subject matter, an active non-visible reflective system can include one or more retroreflective sections coupled to one or more predetermined locations on an object designated for active non-visible reflection. The one or more retroreflective sections can be configured to actively reflect at least a portion of a predetermined frequency of incoming radiation back to a source of the incoming radiation, the incoming radiation being non-visible, wherein the one or more predetermined locations are illuminated. Additionally, the one or more retroreflective sections can be further configured to enable a perception system to determine that one or more retroreflectors are detected in response to the illumination, and enable processing circuitry communicably coupled to the perception system to detect the illuminated object defined by the one or more detected retroreflective sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventor: James KUFFNER
  • Patent number: 9060108
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for enabling a device to capture additional views with a camera are provided. An apparatus including reflective surfaces may be mounted to a device with a camera. The reflective surfaces may be positioned around the camera lens in such a way so as to redirect light into the lens, giving the effect of the camera being rotated, tilted, or otherwise moved to face a particular direction. A motor may be provided in the apparatus to move the reflective surfaces to a user's preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: James Kuffner
  • Publication number: 20140028799
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using a mobile device with a multi-element display, a camera, and a controller to determine a 3D model of a target object. The multi-element display is configured to generate a light field. At least a portion of the light field reflects from a target object. The camera is configured to capture a plurality of images based on the portion of the light field reflected from the target object. The controller is configured to determine a 3D model of the target object based on the images. The 3D model includes three-dimensional shape and color information about the target object. In some examples, the light field could include specific light patterns, spectral content, and other forms of modulated/structured light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: James Kuffner, Arshan Poursohi, Chaitanya Gharpure, Ryan Hickman
  • Patent number: 8428777
    Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing tasks among robotic devices are described. A server may receive from a first device, information associated with an assigned task of the first device. The server may determine whether the assigned task can be executed more efficiently with assistance from additional devices, and may further determine available devices that can assist in executing the assigned task. The determined available devices may be ranked according to an amount of usage of the devices over time, and a second device may be selected from the available devices based on the ranking. A subtask of the assigned task may then be determined from a plurality of subtasks of the assigned task based on capabilities of the selected second device. An instruction may then be sent to the second device, instructing the second device to execute the determined subtask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Arshan Poursohi, James Kuffner, Anthony Francis, Ryan Hickman