Abstract: A drivable surface includes a plurality of segments that can be arranged according to any desired configuration. One or more mobile agents are configured to automatically explore the drivable surface so as to ascertain the positions, orientations, and/or configurations of the various segments, as well as how they are connected to one another. The information collected during such exploration can be transmitted to a host device or other location, where a virtual representation of the drivable surface can be constructed based on the collected information.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2016
Date of Patent:
January 29, 2019
Assignee:
Anki, Inc.
Inventors:
Tian Yu Tommy Liu, Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
Abstract: A closed-loop service, referred to as an Adaptive Data Analytics Service (ADAS), characterizes the performance of a system or systems by providing information describing how users or agents are operating the system, how the system components interact, and how these respond to external influences and factors. The ADAS then builds models and/or defines relationships that can be used to optimize performance and/or to predict the results of changes made to the system(s). Subsequently, this learning provides the basis for administering, maintaining, and/or adjusting the system(s) under study. Measurement can be ongoing, even after the operating parameters or controls of a system under the administration or monitoring of the ADAS have been adjusted, so that the impact of such adjustments can be determined.
Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
April 24, 2018
Assignee:
Anki, Inc.
Inventors:
Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
Abstract: Mobile agents automatically manipulate components such as blocks on a working surface, to perform operations such as construction of generalized structures. The working surface and/or the components can have machine-readable codes to assist the agents in maintaining current knowledge of their respective locations. Agents identify components by type and location, and can move components according to directions; such directions can be provided by a user, or can be based on a pre-programmed directive, or can be determined dynamically based on current conditions or in response to actions of other agents. Agents may cooperate with one another. Agents can also respond to changes in the environment, alterations in works in progress, and/or other conditions, and may be configured to exhibit responses simulating emotional reactions. Different mobile agents can be associated with different character traits, which may be configured to change based on environmental conditions and/or the behavior of other mobile agents.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 2, 2015
Date of Patent:
March 20, 2018
Assignee:
Anki, Inc.
Inventors:
Hanns Tappeiner, Boris Sofman, Patrick DeNeale
Abstract: A system of interconnected flexible supports are adapted for use with a mobile device operative by a mobile computing device such as a smart phone and/or tablet for controlled movement of the mobile device in a plurality of directions. The system includes a plurality of flexible supports which may be magnetically coupled together to form a flexible layout having infinite configurations. The supports are configured to be self-aligned when coupled by the magnetic attraction between adjacent supports.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 6, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 17, 2017
Assignee:
Anki, Inc.
Inventors:
Charles Fiebig, Hanns Tappeiner, David McVicar
Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 9, 2015
Date of Patent:
July 4, 2017
Assignee:
Anki, Inc.
Inventors:
Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci