Patents by Inventor Eric Ng

Eric Ng 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).

  • Publication number: 20060084430
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of exchanging information that can be specific to a person and their current location. The method uses the location of a wireless device held by a stakeholder, i.e. a person that is related to the information, and routes information to the zone they are in. The portable wireless device is used to track the location of the stakeholder, and also provides methods for updating relevant information while the stakeholder is located in a specific zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventor: Eric Ng
  • Publication number: 20060020369
    Abstract: The invention covers a robot cleaner that includes a cleaning unit and wheels to move the robot cleaner. The robot cleaner also includes a processor for controlling cleaning that is capable of estimating the size of a room based on distances between obstacles. The robot cleaner has several modes of operation that allow it to clean an entire room more effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Shek Lau, Eric Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng, Enrico DiBernardo, Robert Witman, Michael Stout
  • Publication number: 20060010200
    Abstract: A client for a text-based messaging application for a dual-mode mobile communication device may initiate an audio conference based on a text-based message. Contents of fields of the text-based message may be extracted and utilized to construct an audio conference request message that is subsequently transmitted to an audio conference gateway. Where the text-based messaging application is an instant messaging (IM) client application, it may be configured to recognize a voice connection as being related to an ongoing Data Mode IM conversation. As a consequence of the recognition, the IM client application may maintain the user interface for facilitating participation in the Voice Mode IM conversation. Updates related to the status of the Voice Mode IM conversation may be received at the dual-mode mobile communication device over the voice connection and reflected in changes to the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Gary Mousseau, Eric Ng
  • Publication number: 20050273967
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a robot cleaning system that includes a robotic cleaner having a tactile sensor and a barrier unit, wherein the barrier unit is such that the tactile sensor on the robot cleaner is triggered by contact with the barrier unit. As a result the robot changes directions. The barrier unit can be adapted to avoid sliding, such as when the robot comes into contact with it. The anti-slide element can be projections such as hooks or rubber grommets and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Shek Lau, Eric Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Publication number: 20050071501
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for searching an electronically stored table of information including a plurality of table entries and facilitating high speed searching of a table to provide a longest matching entry. The table searching method uses at least one memory unit having a table of information including a plurality of data entries. The table of information has a plurality of search keys associated with the plurality of data entries and the plurality of search keys form a tree structure based on a prefix length for each of the search keys. The plurality of search keys are expanded such that each of the plurality of search keys has two lowest level search keys associated therewith that cover a lowest level of the tree structure. A binary search of the lowest level search keys is performed based on a search value to determine a longest prefix match. A data entry of the plurality of data entries is output based on said longest prefix match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Jun Cao, Brandon Smith, Eric Ng
  • Publication number: 20050033740
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for searching an electronically stored table of information including a plurality of table entries and facilitating high speed searching of a table to provide a longest matching entry. The table searching method uses at least one memory unit having a table of information including a plurality of data entries. The table of information has a plurality of search keys associated with the plurality of data entries and the plurality of search keys form a tree structure based on a prefix length for each of the search keys. The plurality of search keys are expanded such that each of the plurality of search keys has two lowest level search keys associated therewith that cover a lowest level of the tree structure. A binary search of the lowest level search keys is performed based on a search value to determine a longest prefix match. A data entry of the plurality of data entries is output based on said longest prefix match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Jun Cao, Brandon Smith, Eric Ng
  • Publication number: 20050010331
    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: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • Publication number: 20050000543
    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: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Taylor, Andrew Parker, Shek Fai Lau, Eric Blair, Andrew Heninger, Eric Ng
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6826561
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for searching an electronically stored table of information including a plurality of table entries and facilitating high speed searching of a table to provide a longest matching entry. The table searching method uses at least one memory unit having a table of information including a plurality of data entries. The table of information has a plurality of search keys associated with the plurality of data entries and the plurality of search keys form a tree structure based on a prefix length for each of the search keys. The plurality of search keys are expanded such that each of the plurality of search keys has two lowest level search keys associated therewith that cover a lowest level of the tree structure. A binary search of the lowest level search keys is performed based on a search value to determine a longest prefix match. A data entry of the plurality of data entries is output based on said longest prefix match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Cao, Brandon Carl Smith, Eric Ng
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010056417
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for searching an electronically stored table of information including a plurality of table entries and facilitating high speed searching of a table to provide a longest matching entry. The table searching method uses at least one memory unit having a table of information including a plurality of data entries. The table of information has a plurality of search keys associated with the plurality of data entries and the plurality of search keys form a tree structure based on a prefix length for each of the search keys. The plurality of search keys are expanded such that each of the plurality of search keys has two lowest level search keys associated therewith that cover a lowest level of the tree structure. A binary search of the lowest level search keys is performed based on a search value to determine a longest prefix match. A data entry of the plurality of data entries is output based on said longest prefix match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Cao, Brandon Carl Smith, Eric Ng