Patents by Inventor Duane L. Gilbert, Jr.
Duane L. Gilbert, Jr. 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: 20150234385Abstract: A robot lawnmower includes a body and a drive system carried by the body and configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn. The robot also includes a grass cutter and a swath edge detector, both carried by the body. The swath edge detector is configured to detect a swath edge between cut and uncut grass while the drive system maneuvers the robot across the lawn while following a detected swath edge. The swath edge detector includes a calibrator that monitors uncut grass for calibration of the swath edge detector. In some examples, the calibrator comprises a second swath edge detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Paul E. Sandin, Joseph L. Jones, Daniel N. Ozick, David A. Cohen, David M. Lewis, JR., Clara Vu, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Joshua B. Preneta, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Tony L. Campbell, John Bergman
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Publication number: 20150006015Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot system includes an active boundary responder comprising a wire powered with a modulated current placed along a perimeter of a property, at least one passive boundary responder placed on a property interior circumscribed by the active boundary responder, and an autonomous coverage robot. The robot includes a drive system carried by a body and configured to maneuver the robot across the property interior. The robot includes a signal emitter emitting a signal, where the passive boundary responder is responsive to the signal and a boundary responder detection system carried by the body. The boundary responder detector is configured to redirect the robot both in response to the responder detection system detecting an active boundary responder and in response to detecting a passive boundary responder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Paul E. Sandin, Joseph L. Jones, Daniel N. Ozick, David A. Cohen, David M. Lewis, JR., Clara Vu, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Joshua B. Preneta, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Tony L. Campbell, John Bergman, Mark J. Chiappetta
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Patent number: 8868237Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot system includes an active boundary responder comprising a wire powered with a modulated current placed along a perimeter of a property, at least one passive boundary responder placed on a property interior circumscribed by the active boundary responder, and an autonomous coverage robot. The robot includes a drive system carried by a body and configured to maneuver the robot across the property interior. The robot includes a signal emitter emitting a signal, where the passive boundary responder is responsive to the signal and a boundary responder detection system carried by the body. The boundary responder detector is configured to redirect the robot both in response to the responder detection system detecting an active boundary responder and in response to detecting a passive boundary responder.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Paul E. Sandin, Joseph L. Jones, Daniel N. Ozick, David A. Cohen, David M. Lewis, Jr., Clara Vu, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Joshua B. Preneta, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Tony L. Campbell, John Bergman, Mark J. Chiappetta
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Publication number: 20140289992Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Andrew Ziegler, Christopher John Morse, Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Andrew Jones, Scott Pratt, Paul E. Sandin, Nancy Dussault
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Publication number: 20140259511Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Andrew Ziegler, Christopher John Morse, Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Andrew Jones
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Publication number: 20140215735Abstract: A surface treatment robot includes a chassis having forward and rear ends and a drive system carried by the chassis. The drive system includes right and left driven wheels and is configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface. The robot includes a vacuum assembly, a collection volume, a supply volume, an applicator, and a wetting element, each carried by the chassis. The wetting element engages the cleaning surface to distribute a cleaning liquid applied to the surface by the applicator. The wetting element distributes the cleaning liquid along at least a portion of the cleaning surface when the robot is driven in a forward direction. The wetting element is arranged substantially forward of a transverse axis defined by the right and left driven wheels, and the wetting element slidably supports at least about ten percent of the mass of the robot above the cleaning surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Marcus R. Williams, Andrea M. Okerholm, Elaine H. Kristant, Sheila A. Longo, Daniel E. Kee, Marc D. Strauss
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Patent number: 8782848Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Andrew Ziegler, Christopher John Morse, Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Andrew Jones
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Patent number: 8781627Abstract: A robot lawmnower includes a body, a drive system carried by the body, at least one caster wheel supporting the body, a grass cutter carried by the body, a controller in communication with the drive system, and a bump sensor in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to maneuver the robot to turn in place and to redirect the robot in response to the bump sensor sensing contact with an obstacle. The drive system is configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn and includes differentially driven right and left drive wheels positioned rearward of a transverse center axis defined by the body. The at least one caster wheel is positioned substantially forward of the right and left drive wheels, and the grass cutter is positioned at least partially forward of the right and left drive wheels and at least partially behind the at least one caster wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Paul E. Sandin, Joseph L. Jones, Daniel N. Ozick, David A. Cohen, David M. Lewis, Jr., Clara Vu, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Joshua B. Preneta, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Tony L. Campbell, John Bergman, Mark J. Chiappetta
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Patent number: 8726454Abstract: A surface treatment robot includes a chassis having forward and rear ends and a drive system carried by the chassis. The drive system includes right and left driven wheels and is configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface. The robot includes a vacuum assembly, a collection volume, a supply volume, an applicator, and a wetting element, each carried by the chassis. The wetting element engages the cleaning surface to distribute a cleaning liquid applied to the surface by the applicator. The wetting element distributes the cleaning liquid along at least a portion of the cleaning surface when the robot is driven in a forward direction. The wetting element is arranged substantially forward of a transverse axis defined by the right and left driven wheels, and the wetting element slidably supports at least about ten percent of the mass of the robot above the cleaning surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Marcus R. Williams, Andrea M. Okerholm, Elaine H. Kristant, Sheila A. Longo, Daniel E. Kee, Marc D. Strauss
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Publication number: 20140090201Abstract: A surface treatment robot including a robot body, a differential drive system mounted on the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface, a liquid applicator carried by the robot body, and a collection assembly carried by the robot body and configured to remove waste from the cleaning surface. The robot body has a forward portion and a rear portion, with the forward portion preceding the rear portion as the robot moves in a forward direction over the cleaning surface. The liquid applicator is configured to dispense a liquid to the cleaning surface such that at least a portion of the liquid is dispensed rear of the collection assembly as the robot moves in the forward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventor: Duane L. Gilbert, JR.
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Patent number: 8634960Abstract: A robot lawnmower includes a body and a drive system carried by the body and configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn. The robot also includes a grass cutter and a swath edge detector, both carried by the body. The swath edge detector is configured to detect a swath edge between cut and uncut grass while the drive system maneuvers the robot across the lawn while following a detected swath edge. The swath edge detector includes a calibrator that monitors uncut grass for calibration of the swath edge detector. In some examples, the calibrator comprises a second swath edge detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Paul E. Sandin, Joseph L. Jones, Daniel N. Ozick, David A. Cohen, David M. Lewis, Jr., Clara Vu, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Joshua B. Preneta, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Tony L. Campbell, John Bergman
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Publication number: 20130310978Abstract: A coverage robot includes a drive configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, a stasis indication wheel rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to a direction of forward travel, and a suspension supporting the wheel. The stasis indication wheel defines a first reflective portion and a second reflective portion. The second reflective portion is substantially less reflective than the first reflective portion. The suspension permits movement of the wheel in a direction other than rotation about the first axis. A signal emitter is disposed remotely from the wheel and positioned to direct a signal that sequentially is intercepted by the first and second reflective portions of the wheel. A signal receiver is positioned to receive the reflected signal by the rotating wheel. Communication between the emitter and the receiver is affected by rolling transitions between the first and second reflective portions during permitted movement of the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Daniel N. OZICK, Duane L. Gilbert, JR.
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Patent number: 8438695Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot detection system includes an emitter configured to emit a directed beam, a detector configured to detect the directed beam and a controller configured to direct the robot in response to a signal detected by the detector. In some examples, the detection system detects a stasis condition of the robot. In some examples, the detection system detects a wall and can follow the wall in response to the detected signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Marcus R. Williams, Andrea M. Okerholm, Elaine H. Kristant, Sheila A. Longo, Daniel E. Kee, Marc D. Strauss
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Patent number: 8417383Abstract: A coverage robot includes a drive configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, a stasis indication wheel rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to a direction of forward travel, and a suspension supporting the wheel. The stasis indication wheel defines a first reflective portion and a second reflective portion. The second reflective portion is substantially less reflective than the first reflective portion. The suspension permits movement of the wheel in a direction other than rotation about the first axis. A signal emitter is disposed remotely from the wheel and positioned to direct a signal that sequentially is intercepted by the first and second reflective portions of the wheel. A signal receiver is positioned to receive the reflected signal by the rotating wheel. Communication between the emitter and the receiver is affected by rolling transitions between the first and second reflective portions during permitted movement of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Daniel N. Ozick, Duane L. Gilbert, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120311810Abstract: A surface treatment robot including a robot body, a differential drive system mounted on the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface, a liquid applicator carried by the robot body, and a collection assembly carried by the robot body and configured to remove waste from the cleaning surface. The robot body has a forward portion and a rear portion, with the forward portion preceding the rear portion as the robot moves in a forward direction over the cleaning surface. The liquid applicator is configured to dispense a liquid to the cleaning surface such that at least a portion of the liquid is dispensed rear of the collection assembly as the robot moves in the forward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Jeffrey N. Masters
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Publication number: 20120265346Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot detection system includes an emitter configured to emit a directed beam, a detector configured to detect the directed beam and a controller configured to direct the robot in response to a signal detected by the detector. In some examples, the detection system detects a stasis condition of the robot. In some examples, the detection system detects a wall and can follow the wall in response to the detected signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Marcus R. Williams, Andrea M. Okerholm, Elaine H. Kristant, Sheila A. Longo, Daniel E. Kee, Marc D. Strauss
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Publication number: 20120265343Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot detection system includes an emitter configured to emit a directed beam, a detector configured to detect the directed beam and a controller configured to direct the robot in response to a signal detected by the detector. In some examples, the detection system detects a stasis condition of the robot. In some examples, the detection system detects a wall and can follow the wall in response to the detected signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Marcus R. Williams, Andrea M. Okerholm, Elaine H. Kristant, Sheila A. Longo, Daniel E. Kee, Marc D. Strauss
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Publication number: 20120167917Abstract: A surface treatment robot including a robot body, a differential drive system mounted on the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface, a liquid applicator carried by the robot body, and a collection assembly carried by the robot body and configured to remove waste from the cleaning surface. The robot body has a forward portion and a rear portion, with the forward portion preceding the rear portion as the robot moves in a forward direction over the cleaning surface. The liquid applicator is configured to dispense a liquid to the cleaning surface such that at least a portion of the liquid is dispensed rear of the collection assembly as the robot moves in the forward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventor: Duane L. Gilbert, JR.
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Publication number: 20090254218Abstract: A robot lawmnower includes a body, a drive system carried by the body, at least one caster wheel supporting the body, a grass cutter carried by the body, a controller in communication with the drive system, and a bump sensor in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to maneuver the robot to turn in place and to redirect the robot in response to the bump sensor sensing contact with an obstacle. The drive system is configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn and includes differentially driven right and left drive wheels positioned rearward of a transverse center axis defined by the body. The at least one caster wheel is positioned substantially forward of the right and left drive wheels, and the grass cutter is positioned at least partially forward of the right and left drive wheels and at least partially behind the at least one caster wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: PAUL E. SANDIN, JOSEPH L. JONES, DANIEL N. OZICK, DAVID A. COHEN, DAVID M. LEWIS, JR., CLARA VU, ZIVTHAN A. DUBROVSKY, JOSHUA B. PRENETA, JEFFREY W. MAMMEN, DUANE L. GILBERT, JR., TONY L. CAMPBELL, JOHN BERGMAN, MARK J. CHAIAPPETTA
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Patent number: D716510Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventor: Duane L. Gilbert, Jr.