Patents Assigned to Anki, Inc.
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Patent number: 9607199Abstract: Techniques are provided for decoding machine-readable optical codes that have an aesthetic component that is integrated into the codes themselves. In this manner, the machine-readable optical codes can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing and/or can convey information to human viewers, and can even be disguised so that they do not appear to be machine-readable optical codes at all. Such information can be (but need not be) distinct from the information encoded for reading by a machine, even when the information is integrated into the code itself. The techniques described herein can be applied to any type of machine-readable optical code.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Stein
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Patent number: 9280694Abstract: Techniques are provided for decoding machine-readable optical codes that have an aesthetic component that is integrated into the codes themselves. In this manner, the machine-readable optical codes can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing and/or can convey information to human viewers, and can even be disguised so that they do not appear to be machine-readable optical codes at all. Such information can be (but need not be) distinct from the information encoded for reading by a machine, even when the information is integrated into the code itself. The techniques described herein can be applied to any type of machine-readable optical code.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Stein
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Patent number: 9238177Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 9177239Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating machine-readable optical codes that have an aesthetic component that is integrated into the codes themselves. In this manner, the machine-readable optical codes can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing and/or can convey information to human viewers, and can even be disguised so that they do not appear to be machine-readable optical codes at all. Such information can be (but need not be) distinct from the information encoded for reading by a machine, even when the information is integrated into the code itself. The techniques described herein can be applied to any type of machine-readable optical code.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Stein
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Patent number: 9155961Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Hanns Tappeiner, Boris Sofman, Patrick DeNeale
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Patent number: 9067145Abstract: A robotic system is integrated with one or more mobile computing devices. Physical configurations of individual components of the system in physical space, or agents, under control of a user or users, are duplicated in a representation in virtual space. Some degree of real-time parity is maintained between the physical and virtual spaces, so as to implement a virtual environment that mirrors the physical one. Events occurring within one environment can directly influence and bear consequence on the course of events occurring within the other environment. Elements of virtual space thereby become truly interdependent and unified on a peer footing with elements in physical space. In at least one embodiment, the system is implemented as an application in entertainment, such as the manifestation of a video game in physical space.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns Tappeiner, Mark Matthew Palatucci, Patrick Lee DeNeale
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Patent number: 8951093Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 8951092Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20140342834Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Hanns Tappeiner, Boris Sofman, Patrick DeNeale
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Patent number: 8882560Abstract: A robotic system is integrated with one or more mobile computing devices. Physical configurations of individual components of the system in physical space, or agents, under control of a user or users, are duplicated in a representation in virtual space. Some degree of real-time parity is maintained between the physical and virtual spaces, so as to implement a virtual environment that mirrors the physical one. Events occurring within one environment can directly influence and bear consequence on the course of events occurring within the other environment. Elements of virtual space thereby become truly interdependent and unified on a peer footing with elements in physical space. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is implemented as an application in entertainment, such as the manifestation of a video game in physical space.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns Tappeiner, Mark Matthew Palatucci, Patrick Lee DeNaele
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Patent number: 8845385Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that is capable of assuming a plurality of different lateral positions while traveling along the surface. The mobile agent includes a drive motor, an imaging system, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller. The mobile agent is adapted to detect the markings as the mobile agent travels along the surface, to ascertain a current lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface, and to maintain a substantially consistent lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface (for example to follow a lane). A basestation may be provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. An action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and wirelessly communicated to the mobile agent.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20140235138Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20140235136Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 8747182Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns Tappeiner, Mark Matthew Palatucci
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Publication number: 20140017974Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that is capable of assuming a plurality of different lateral positions while traveling along the surface. The mobile agent includes a drive motor, an imaging system, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller. The mobile agent is adapted to detect the markings as the mobile agent travels along the surface, to ascertain a current lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface, and to maintain a substantially consistent lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface (for example to follow a lane). A basestation may be provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. An action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and wirelessly communicated to the mobile agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20130324250Abstract: A robotic system is integrated with one or more mobile computing devices. Physical configurations of individual components of the system in physical space, or agents, under control of a user or users, are duplicated in a representation in virtual space. Some degree of real-time parity is maintained between the physical and virtual spaces, so as to implement a virtual environment that mirrors the physical one. Events occurring within one environment can directly influence and bear consequence on the course of events occurring within the other environment. Elements of virtual space thereby become truly interdependent and unified on a peer footing with elements in physical space. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is implemented as an application in entertainment, such as the manifestation of a video game in physical space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns Tappeiner, Mark Matthew Palatucci, Patrick Lee DeNeale
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Patent number: D769378Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Harald Belker, Chris Keller
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Patent number: D770574Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Harald Belker, Chris Keller
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Patent number: D770575Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Harald Belker, Chris Keller
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Patent number: D773922Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Charles Fiebig, Hanns Tappeiner