Patents by Inventor Boris Sofman
Boris Sofman 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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Publication number: 20210293573Abstract: An example method involves identifying one or more potential route segments that collectively connect at least two geographical points, receiving spatiotemporal weather information that predicts future weather conditions along each of the potential segments, and, for each potential segment, evaluating a partial cost function that comprises a summation of a set of segment-weighted cost factors, where at least one segment-weighted cost factor comprises an adverse weather risk factor based on the future weather conditions along the potential segment. The method also involves selecting, based on a minimization of a total cost function, a set of selected segments and corresponding segment target speeds for the vehicle to utilize while traversing between the at least two geographical points so as to avoid adverse weather conditions, the total cost function being the sum of partial cost functions associated with a set of segments that collectively connect the at least two geographical points.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Boris Sofman, Benjamin Pitzer, Michael James
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Patent number: 11027213Abstract: 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: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Digital Dream Labs, LLCInventors: Hanns Tappeiner, Boris Sofman, Patrick DeNeale
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Patent number: 10874952Abstract: 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: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Digital Dream Labs, LLCInventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns Tappeiner, Mark Matthew Palatucci, Patrick Lee DeNeale
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Patent number: 10188958Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Tian Yu Tommy Liu, Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20180207541Abstract: 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: March 16, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Hanns Tappeiner, Boris Sofman, Patrick DeNeale
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Publication number: 20180154271Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns Tappeiner, Mark Matthew Palatucci, Patrick Lee DeNeale
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Patent number: 9950271Abstract: 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: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 9919232Abstract: 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: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Hanns Tappeiner, Boris Sofman, Patrick DeNeale
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Publication number: 20170255203Abstract: Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Applicant: NEATO ROBOTICS, INC,Inventors: Boris SOFMAN, Vladimir ERMAKOV, Mark EMMERICH, Steven ALEXANDER, Nathaniel David MONSON
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Patent number: 9694296Abstract: 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 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 9678509Abstract: Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Neato Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Vladimir Ermakov, Mark Emmerich, Steven Alexander, Nathaniel David Monson
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Publication number: 20170136378Abstract: 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: January 30, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20160144288Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Tian Yu Tommy Liu, Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20160089612Abstract: 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: December 9, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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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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Publication number: 20150375129Abstract: 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: September 2, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Hanns Tappeiner, Boris Sofman, Patrick DeNeale
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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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Publication number: 20150104996Abstract: 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: December 17, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20150105964Abstract: Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: NEATO ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Boris SOFMAN, Vladimir ERMAKOV, Mark EMMERICH, Steven ALEXANDER, Nathaniel David MONSON