Patents by Inventor Christopher H. Cain

Christopher H. Cain 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).

  • Pool cleaner with laser range finder system and method
    Patent number: 11047146
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner includes a chassis that supports a motor and a camera that is associated with the chassis and configured to identify at least one object. A controller is in communication with the camera and is configured to control movement of the pool cleaner based on output from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Leonessa, Christopher H. Cain, Brian Boothe
  • Pool Cleaner with Laser Range Finder System and Method
    Publication number: 20180320398
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner includes a chassis that supports a motor and a camera that is associated with the chassis and configured to identify at least one object. A controller is in communication with the camera and is configured to control movement of the pool cleaner based on output from the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander Leonessa, Christopher H. Cain, Brian Boothe
  • Pool cleaner with laser range finder system and method
    Patent number: 10024073
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner includes a chassis that supports a motor and a camera that is associated with the chassis and configured to identify at least one object. A controller is in communication with the camera and is configured to control movement of the pool cleaner based on output from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Virgina Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Leonessa, Christopher H. Cain, Brian Boothe
  • Pool Cleaner with Laser Range Finder System and Method
    Publication number: 20150267433
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner includes a chassis that supports a motor and a camera that is associated with the chassis and configured to identify at least one object. A controller is in communication with the camera and is configured to control movement of the pool cleaner based on output from the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Leonessa, Christopher H. Cain, Brian Boothe
  • Pool cleaner with laser range finder system and method
    Patent number: 9086274
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner control system including a laser range finder with a first laser line generator, a second laser line generator, and a camera. The first laser line generator and the second laser line generator are positioned to emit parallel laser lines and the camera is positioned to capture an image of the laser lines projected on an object. The control system also includes a controller in communication with the laser range finder and configured to control operation of the laser line generators to emit the laser lines and to control the camera to capture the image. The controller is also configured to receive the image from the camera, calculate a pixel distance between the laser lines in the image, and calculate the physical distance between the camera and the object based on the pixel distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Leonessa, Christopher H. Cain, Brian J. Boothe
  • Pool Cleaner with Laser Range Finder System and Method
    Publication number: 20140009748
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner control system including a laser range finder with a first laser line generator, a second laser line generator, and a camera. The first laser line generator and the second laser line generator are positioned to emit parallel laser lines and the camera is positioned to capture an image of the laser lines projected on an object. The control system also includes a controller in communication with the laser range finder and configured to control operation of the laser line generators to emit the laser lines and to control the camera to capture the image. The controller is also configured to receive the image from the camera, calculate a pixel distance between the laser lines in the image, and calculate the physical distance between the camera and the object based on the pixel distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander Leonessa, Christopher H. Cain, Brian J. Boothe