Patents by Inventor Eric C. Blair

Eric C. Blair 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).

  • Robot vacuum with internal mapping system
    Patent number: 7805220
    Abstract: A robot cleaner is described that cleans a room using a serpentine room clean and a serpentine localized clean. Sensors can include an object following sensor, a stairway detector and bumper sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Robotic vacuum cleaner with edge and object detection system
    Patent number: 7801645
    Abstract: A robot uses an infrared sensor including an infrared light source which produces pulses of infrared light. Optics focus reflections of the infrared light pulses from different portions of the environment of the robot to different detectors in a 2D array of detectors. The detectors produce an indication of the distance to the closest object in an associated portion of the environment. The robot can use the indications to determine features in the environment. The robot can be controlled to avoid these features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng, Patricia I. Brenner
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING A PORTABLE MEDIA UNIT
    Publication number: 20090304217
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a holder coupled to the housing, an output device coupled to the housing, and a cable module. The cable module includes a cable configured to move relative to the cable module and connect with a portable media device located within the holder to communicate a media signal from the portable media device to the output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: SHARPER IMAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard J. Thalheimer, Edward C. McKinney, Frederick M. Schechter, Eric C. Blair, Shek Fai Lau
  • Robot Cleaner With Improved Vacuum Unit
    Publication number: 20080184518
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a vacuum air path including an inlet, a particulate collection dustbin, a fan, and an air exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Robot vacuum
    Publication number: 20040244138
    Abstract: A robot cleaner is described that includes a germicidal ultraviolet lamp. In one embodiment, a cleaning pad is used with the robot cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Robot vacuum with remote control mode
    Publication number: 20040236468
    Abstract: A robot cleaner is described that cleans a room using a serpentine room clean and a serpentine localized clean. Sensors can include an object following sensor, a stairway detector and bumper sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Robotic vacuum cleaner with edge and object detection system
    Publication number: 20040220698
    Abstract: A robot uses an infrared sensor including an infrared light source which produces pulses of infrared light. Optics focus reflections of the infrared light pulses from different portions of the environment of the robot to different detectors in a 2D array of detectors. The detectors produce an indication of the distance to the closest object in an associated portion of the environment. The robot can use the indications to determine features in the environment. The robot can be controlled to avoid these features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng, Patricia I. Brenner
  • Robot vacuum with particulate detector
    Publication number: 20040211444
    Abstract: A robot cleaner is described that cleans a room using a serpentine room clean and a serpentine localized clean. Sensors can include an object following sensor, a stairway detector and bumper sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Robot vac with retractable power cord
    Publication number: 20040200505
    Abstract: A robot cleaning system uses a robot cleaner and a unit. The unit is connected to power the robot cleaner by a power cord. The robot cleaner can move around a room while being powered by the unit. In one embodiment, the unit is connected to a power socket by another power cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Robotic vacuum with localized cleaning algorithm
    Publication number: 20040204792
    Abstract: A robot cleaner is described that cleans a room using a serpentine room clean and a serpentine localized clean. Sensors can include an object following sensor, a stairway detector and bumper sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric C. Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng