Patents Assigned to Segway Inc.
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Patent number: 10889312Abstract: A method of operating a payload-carrying vehicle having two laterally disposed wheels positioned along a central axis is described. The method includes measuring a force applied by a user to the hand truck, where the measured force comprising a direction and a magnitude, and providing torque to each wheel to cause each wheel to rotate in a respective direction as a function of the measured magnitude and direction. The amount of torque provided to each wheel in response to the force from the user is such that the magnitude of measured force applied by the user is not greater than a predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Casey, Kimberley A. St. Louis, Nicholas A. DeAngelis, Benjamin C. Minerd, Robert M. Bowman, Jason A. Swift
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Patent number: 10858027Abstract: In a method of operating a payload-carrying vehicle having a system configured to provide torque to ground contacting elements, the method includes, repeatedly measuring a force applied by a user to the vehicle; determining a direction and a magnitude of the measured force; determining a respective amount of torque to apply to each of the ground contacting elements as a function of the determined direction and magnitude; and providing the respective determined amount of torque to each of the ground contacting elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Segway Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Casey, Kimberley A. St. Louis, Nicholas A. DeAngelis, Benjamin C. Minerd, Robert M. Bowman, Jason A. Swift
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Patent number: 10697751Abstract: Different approaches for providing increased redundancy in determining a position of a rotating member, for example, a motor shaft, with galvanically isolated sensors. In one aspect, two separate on-axis sensing chips are positioned in line with one another on a PCB but each on opposite sides or surfaces of the PCB. Respective sensing surfaces are essentially parallel to one another. Advantageously, greater electrical isolation is provided by placing the two sensors on opposite sides of the PCB.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Hoell, Jr., James B. Carter
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Publication number: 20180354539Abstract: In a method of operating a payload-carrying vehicle having a system configured to provide torque to ground contacting elements, the method includes, repeatedly measuring a force applied by a user to the vehicle; determining a direction and a magnitude of the measured force; determining a respective amount of torque to apply to each of the ground contacting elements as a function of the determined direction and magnitude; and providing the respective determined amount of torque to each of the ground contacting elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2017Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: Segway Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Casey, Kimberley A. St. Louis, Nicholas A. DeAngelis, Benjamin C. Minerd, Robert M. Bowman, Jason A. Swift
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Publication number: 20180172421Abstract: Different approaches for providing increased redundancy in determining a position of a rotating member, for example, a motor shaft, with galvanically isolated sensors. In one aspect, two separate on-axis sensing chips are positioned in line with one another on a PCB but each on opposite sides or surfaces of the PCB. Respective sensing surfaces are essentially parallel to one another. Advantageously, greater electrical isolation is provided by placing the two sensors on opposite sides of the PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: Segway Inc.Inventors: Joseph A. Hoell, JR., James B. Carter
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Publication number: 20180170417Abstract: A method of operating a payload-carrying vehicle having two laterally disposed wheels positioned along a central axis is described. The method includes measuring a force applied by a user to the hand truck, where the measured force comprising a direction and a magnitude, and providing torque to each wheel to cause each wheel to rotate in a respective direction as a function of the measured magnitude and direction. The amount of torque provided to each wheel in response to the force from the user is such that the magnitude of measured force applied by the user is not greater than a predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: Segway, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Casey, Kimberley A. St. Louis, Nicholas A. DeAngelis, Benjamin C. Minerd, Robert M. Bowman, Jason A. Swift
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Patent number: 9764657Abstract: A standup, electrically powered three-wheeled vehicle has safety features in its control and method of operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Segway Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Harding, William J. Twomey, Robert M. Bowman
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Patent number: 9477228Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: J. Douglas Field, Michael T. Gansler, John D. Heinzmann, Jon M. Stevens
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Patent number: 9168966Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: J. Douglas Field, Michael T. Gansler, John D. Heinzmann, Jon M. Stevens
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Patent number: 8688303Abstract: Method for controlling a vehicle that includes a support, at least one wheel, a platform coupled to the at least one wheel, a coupling structure having a support portion coupled to the support and a platform portion coupled to the platform that allows the support portion to move or slide fore and aft with respect to the platform portion, an actuator coupled to the coupling structure to control the position of the support portion relative to the platform portion, a drive coupled to the at least one wheel to deliver power to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle and maintain the platform level, and a controller coupled to the drive to control the drive and coupled to the actuator to control the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: Jon M. Stevens, John David Heinzmann, Patrick A. Hussey, Benjamin C. Shaffer
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Patent number: 8490723Abstract: Method for controlling a vehicle that includes a support, at least one wheel, a platform coupled to the at least one wheel, a coupling structure having a support portion coupled to the support and a platform portion coupled to the platform that allows the support portion to move or slide fore and aft with respect to the platform portion, an actuator coupled to the coupling structure to control the position of the support portion relative to the platform portion, a drive coupled to the at least one wheel to deliver power to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle and maintain the platform level, and a controller coupled to the drive to control the drive and coupled to the actuator to control the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: John David Heinzmann, Jon M. Stevens, Raymond Debruin, Anthony Foale, Joseph Hoell, Jr., Patrick A. Hussey, Alexander Muller
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Patent number: 8467941Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: J. Douglas Field, Michael T. Gansler, John D. Heinzmann, Jon M. Stevens
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Publication number: 20120290162Abstract: Method for controlling a vehicle that includes a support, at least one wheel, a platform coupled to the at least one wheel, a coupling structure having a support portion coupled to the support and a platform portion coupled to the platform that allows the support portion to move or slide fore and aft with respect to the platform portion, an actuator coupled to the coupling structure to control the position of the support portion relative to the platform portion, a drive coupled to the at least one wheel to deliver power to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle and maintain the platform level, and a controller coupled to the drive to control the drive and coupled to the actuator to control the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: Segway Inc.Inventors: Jon M. Stevens, John David Heinzmann, Patrick A. Hussey, Benjamin C. Shaffer
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Patent number: 8170780Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: J. Douglas Field, Michael T. Gansler, John D. Heinzmann, Jon M. Stevens
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Patent number: 8146696Abstract: A system and method for safely moving a vehicle up or down a sloped surface is provided. In one embodiment, a method involves operating the vehicle in a sloped surface mode when at least one ground contacting element for moving the vehicle is on the sloped surface. An amount of torque is provided to the at least one ground contacting element to prevent the vehicle from uncontrollably moving down the sloped surface while in the sloped surface mode of operation. An assist mechanism can be coupled to the propulsion system to enable an operator to guide the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventor: Michael F. Kaufman
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Publication number: 20110213522Abstract: Method for controlling a vehicle that includes a support, at least one wheel, a platform coupled to the at least one wheel, a coupling structure having a support portion coupled to the support and a platform portion coupled to the platform that allows the support portion to move or slide fore and aft with respect to the platform portion, an actuator coupled to the coupling structure to control the position of the support portion relative to the platform portion, a drive coupled to the at least one wheel to deliver power to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle and maintain the platform level, and a controller coupled to the drive to control the drive and coupled to the actuator to control the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Segway Inc.Inventors: Jon M. Stevens, John David Heinzmann, Patrick A. Hussey, Benjamin C. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20110209929Abstract: Method for controlling a vehicle that includes a support, at least one wheel, a platform coupled to the at least one wheel, a coupling structure having a support portion coupled to the support and a platform portion coupled to the platform that allows the support portion to move or slide fore and aft with respect to the platform portion, an actuator coupled to the coupling structure to control the position of the support portion relative to the platform portion, a drive coupled to the at least one wheel to deliver power to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle and maintain the platform level, and a controller coupled to the drive to control the drive and coupled to the actuator to control the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Segway Inc.Inventors: John David Heinzmann, Jon M. Stevens, Raymond Debruin, Anthony Foale, Joseph Hoell, JR., Patrick A. Hussey, Alexander Muller
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Patent number: 7979179Abstract: An apparatus and method for a pitch state estimator is provided. The pitch state estimator generates a pitch state signal for establishing the orientation used in the control of a ground-traversing vehicle. The vehicle has a support for supporting a load which is preferably a human passenger. In one embodiment, the pitch state estimator includes a pitch sensor connected to the vehicle producing a pitch signal representing an estimate of a pitch angle of the vehicle. The pitch angle is associated with a coordinate system referenced to gravity. The pitch state estimator also includes at least one inertial reference sensor connected to the vehicle producing an inertial orientation signal with respect to the vehicle. Further included is a state estimator module for receiving the pitch signal and the inertial orientation signal and calculating a pitch state signal from the inertial orientation signal and the pitch signal sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Segway Inc.Inventor: Michael T. Gansler
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Patent number: D766131Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Segway, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Harding, William J. Twomey, Robert M. Bowman, Brendan Collins, Joseph A. Hoell, Jr., Michael J. Casey
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Patent number: D864795Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Segway Inc.Inventors: Scott M. Waters, Michael Slate, Derek Hugger, Anthony Foale, Robert Deddens, Rafael Alfredo Rexach