Patents by Inventor David Aaron Lafferty

David Aaron Lafferty 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).

  • Patent number: 8527113
    Abstract: A system for providing enhanced operator control of a remote vehicle driving at increased speeds comprises: a head-mounted display configured to be worn by the operator and track a position of the operator's head; a head-aimed camera mounted to the remote vehicle via a pan/tilt mechanism and configured to pan and tilt in accordance with the position of the operator's head, the head-aimed camera transmitting video to be displayed to the operator via the head-mounted display; and a computer running a behavior engine, the computer receiving input from the operator and one or more sensors, and being configured to utilize the behavior engine, operator input, sensor input, and one or more autonomous and/or semi-autonomous behaviors to assist the operator in driving the remote vehicle. The remote vehicle includes releasably mounted wheels and high-friction tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Masao Yamauchi, Kent Conway Massey, David Aaron Lafferty
  • Publication number: 20110054717
    Abstract: A system for providing enhanced operator control of a remote vehicle driving at increased speeds comprises: a head-mounted display configured to be worn by the operator and track a position of the operator's head; a head-aimed camera mounted to the remote vehicle via a pan/tilt mechanism and configured to pan and tilt in accordance with the position of the operator's head, the head-aimed camera transmitting video to be displayed to the operator via the head-mounted display; and a computer running a behavior engine, the computer receiving input from the operator and one or more sensors, and being configured to utilize the behavior engine, operator input, sensor input, and one or more autonomous and/or semi-autonomous behaviors to assist the operator in driving the remote vehicle. The remote vehicle includes releasably mounted wheels and high-friction tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Brian Masao YAMAUCHI, Kent Conway Massey, David Aaron Lafferty