Patents by Inventor Gary Ellis

Gary Ellis 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: 20220150597
    Abstract: An addressable apparatus and method for simultaneous presentation of a performance script or other commentary, dialogue, and/or visual information available in the original language or one or more translations which can be selected by the user. Other visual information such as, sponsors, advertisements, and emergency alerts can be transmitted to each display in full color graphics or video. In one embodiment, a touch screen interface can allow point of sale applications pre-show, during intermissions, and/or post-show. Individual addressability allows direct messaging capabilities, seat-naming, anti direct-marketing media opportunities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Petonic, Gary Ellis, Karl G. Kern, Paul Horpedahl, Adelaide Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210224579
    Abstract: A mobile cleaning robot includes a cleaning head configured to clean a floor surface in an environment, and at least one camera having a field of view that extends above the floor surface. The at least one camera is configured to capture images that include portions of the environment above the floor surface. The robot includes a recognition module is configured to recognize objects in the environment based on the images captured by the at least one camera, in which the recognition module is trained at least in part using the images captured by the at least one camera. The robot includes a storage device is configured to store a map of the environment. The robot includes a control module configured to control the mobile cleaning robot to navigate in the environment using the map and operate the cleaning head to perform cleaning tasks taking into account of the objects recognized by the recognition module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher V. Jones, Gary Ellis Hall, Steven J. Baron, Brent Hild, Stefan Zickler, John Sinnigen
  • Patent number: 10878294
    Abstract: A mobile cleaning robot includes a cleaning head configured to clean a floor surface in an environment, and at least one camera having a field of view that extends above the floor surface. The at least one camera is configured to capture images that include portions of the environment above the floor surface. The robot includes a recognition module is configured to recognize objects in the environment based on the images captured by the at least one camera, in which the recognition module is trained at least in part using the images captured by the at least one camera. The robot includes a storage device is configured to store a map of the environment. The robot includes a control module configured to control the mobile cleaning robot to navigate in the environment using the map and operate the cleaning head to perform cleaning tasks taking into account of the objects recognized by the recognition module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher V. Jones, Gary Ellis Hall, Steven J. Baron, Brent Hild, Stefan Zickler, John Sinnigen
  • Publication number: 20200242136
    Abstract: A method of operating a computing device includes receiving occupancy data for an operating environment of a mobile robot based on localization data detected by at least one localization sensor of the mobile robot responsive to navigation thereof in the operating environment, and receiving signal coverage data for the operating environment based on wireless communication signals acquired by at least one wireless receiver of the mobile robot responsive to navigation thereof in the operating environment. The wireless communication signals are transmitted by at least one electronic device that is local to the operating environment. The method further includes generating a map indicating coverage patterns of the wireless communication signals at respective locations in the operating environment by correlating the occupancy data and the signal coverage data. Related methods, mobile robots, and user terminals are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Chambers, Justin H. Kearns, Orjeta Taka, Michael J. Dooley, Nikolai Romanov, Gary Ellis Hall
  • Patent number: 10664502
    Abstract: A method of operating a computing device includes receiving occupancy data for an operating environment of a mobile robot based on localization data detected by at least one localization sensor of the mobile robot responsive to navigation thereof in the operating environment, and receiving signal coverage data for the operating environment based on wireless communication signals acquired by at least one wireless receiver of the mobile robot responsive to navigation thereof in the operating environment. The wireless communication signals are transmitted by at least one electronic device that is local to the operating environment. The method further includes generating a map indicating coverage patterns of the wireless communication signals at respective locations in the operating environment by correlating the occupancy data and the signal coverage data. Related methods, mobile robots, and user terminals are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Chambers, Justin H. Kearns, Orjeta Taka, Michael J. Dooley, Nikolai Romanov, Gary Ellis Hall
  • Publication number: 20190213438
    Abstract: A mobile cleaning robot includes a cleaning head configured to clean a floor surface in an environment, and at least one camera having a field of view that extends above the floor surface. The at least one camera is configured to capture images that include portions of the environment above the floor surface. The robot includes a recognition module is configured to recognize objects in the environment based on the images captured by the at least one camera, in which the recognition module is trained at least in part using the images captured by the at least one camera. The robot includes a storage device is configured to store a map of the environment. The robot includes a control module configured to control the mobile cleaning robot to navigate in the environment using the map and operate the cleaning head to perform cleaning tasks taking into account of the objects recognized by the recognition module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher V. Jones, Gary Ellis Hall, Steven J. Baron, Brent Hild, Stefan Zickler, John Sinnigen
  • Publication number: 20180321687
    Abstract: A method of operating a computing device includes receiving occupancy data for an operating environment of a mobile robot based on localization data detected by at least one localization sensor of the mobile robot responsive to navigation thereof in the operating environment, and receiving signal coverage data for the operating environment based on wireless communication signals acquired by at least one wireless receiver of the mobile robot responsive to navigation thereof in the operating environment. The wireless communication signals are transmitted by at least one electronic device that is local to the operating environment. The method further includes generating a map indicating coverage patterns of the wireless communication signals at respective locations in the operating environment by correlating the occupancy data and the signal coverage data. Related methods, mobile robots, and user terminals are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Chambers, Justin H. Kearns, Orjeta Taka, Michael J. Dooley, Nikolai Romanov, Gary Ellis Hall
  • Patent number: 9978105
    Abstract: Automated claims adjustment is engineered to receive submission of two-dimensional data or three-dimensional data from a structured-light scan and other pieces of information directly via a mobile device. Upon receiving sufficient information to open a claim, automated claims adjustment and settlement processes are executed aiding and guiding a claimant. This reduces the time involved by the claimant in waiting for a claims adjuster to manually review a specific case file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: David Antony Parchment, Khamla Saenglongma, Gary Ellis Hall, Normand Francis Olean, Jr., John Heveran
  • Patent number: 9721304
    Abstract: Automated claims adjustment is engineered to receive submission of two-dimensional data or three-dimensional data from a structured-light scan and other pieces of information directly via a mobile device. Upon receiving sufficient information to open a claim, automated claims adjustment and settlement processes are executed aiding and guiding a claimant. This reduces the time involved by the claimant in waiting for a claims adjuster to manually review a specific case file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
    Inventors: David Antony Parchment, Khamla Saenglongma, Gary Ellis Hall, Normand Francis Olean, Jr., John Heveran
  • Patent number: 7418973
    Abstract: A pressure regulator comprising a body portion having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow passage positioned therebetween is provided. A valve member and a valve seat are positioned in the flow passage. A spring is coupled to the valve member to urge the valve member along an axis towards the valve seat, wherein the flow passage is substantially closed when the valve member engages with the valve seat. The spring has an extended segment in contact with a fixed surface, whereby the extended segment restricts displacement of the spring in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Ellis Graham
  • Patent number: 7247026
    Abstract: A practice device to enable children to simulate skateboarding in a safe manner so the children can practice sliding the practice device on a surface and balancing themselves on the device. The device comprises a center section, a front section and a rear section where the front and rear sections are at an angle to the center section and the bottom surface of the device is entirely smooth to facilitate the movement of the device on a surface. The upper surface of the device has a lowered interior area surrounded by a circumferential ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Gary Ellis
  • Publication number: 20070122248
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a washer element and a nut element. The nut element is split and includes a screw thread that threadably engages the thread of a bolt or other such fastener element to lock the nut to the bolt. The nut element is adapted by the split to assume an open configuration which permits the nut to move freely along the bolt without being threadably engaged with the bolt and a closed configuration which threadably engages the screw thread of the nut with the screw thread of the bolt. The washer is sized to move freely over the screw thread of the bolt, but to force the nut into the closed configuration when the washer and the nut are cooperatively engaged. The washer maintains the nut in threaded engagement with the bolt when the washer and the nut are cooperatively engaged on the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Gary Ellis, Kay McGee
  • Publication number: 20050277462
    Abstract: A method for managing casino credit includes identifying a player at a gaming machine and extending credit to the player. So long as the total credit extended is less than the player's winnings, the gaming machine is disabled from cashing out the player's winnings. Optionally, when the winnings exceed the total credit extended, the gaming machine is enabled to cash out the player's net winnings. A system for managing casino credit includes gaming machines communicating with a server. The gaming machines may be located at more than a single casino property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventor: Gary Ellis
  • Publication number: 20050238983
    Abstract: A composition comprising a toner binder and a charge control agent comprising a sulfonation product of Solvent Blue 23, wherein from greater than 0 up to 30 mole % of the Solvent Blue 23 is sulfonated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Ellis, Rhonda Bartram, Edward da Ponte, Toshihiko Oguchi, Timothy Overway, Keiki Suganami
  • Publication number: 20050015738
    Abstract: A method of designing an integrated circuit including executing a placement algorithm to place a set of objects within the integrated circuit. The set of objects includes latched objects and non-latched objects. The algorithm places objects to minimize clock signal delay subject to a constraint on the placement distribution of the latched objects relative to the placement distribution of the non-latched objects. The latched object and non-latched object placement constraints may limit the difference between the latched object center of mass and a non-latched object center of mass. The latched object center of mass equals a sum of size-location products for each latched object divided by the sum of sizes for each latched object. The constraints may require that the latched object center of mass and the non-latched center of mass both equal the center of mass for all objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Alpert, Gary Ellis, Gi-Joon Nam, Paul Villarrubia
  • Patent number: 6544649
    Abstract: A hog fuel board is made by placing a hog fuel mat including an ammonium chloride catalyst with flexible non-sticking layers on outside surfaces between screens in a preheated platen press and pressing the mat to preset stops and for a predetermined time and pressure to cause adhesives naturally present in the hog fuel to disperse throughout the board. The presence of ammonium chloride as a catalyst uniformly distributed through the hog fuel mat significantly lowers the temperature required at the heating press platens to form a board which also has improved properties. There is also described a hog fuel veneer board with a hog fuel mat sandwiched between veneer sheets and a lumber product with a hog fuel coating thereon. These additional products are both formed using the ammonium chloride catalyst to reduce press temperatures and create a product with improved properties, particularly, internal bond strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Forintek Canada Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Ellis Troughton
  • Publication number: 20030059594
    Abstract: A hog fuel board is made by placing a hog fuel mat including an ammonium chloride catalyst with flexible non-sticking layers on outside surfaces between screens in a preheated platen press and pressing the mat to preset stops and for a predetermined time and pressure to cause adhesives naturally present in the hog fuel to disperse throughout the board. The presence of ammonium chloride as a catalyst uniformly distributed through the hog fuel mat significantly lowers the temperature required at the heating press platens to form a board which also has improved properties. There is also described a hog fuel veneer board with a hog fuel mat sandwiched between veneer sheets and a lumber product with a hog fuel coating thereon. These additional products are both formed using the ammonium chloride catalyst to reduce press temperatures and create a product with improved properties, particularly, internal bond strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Gary Ellis Troughton
  • Patent number: D501905
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Gary Ellis
  • Patent number: D566215
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Garageco Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Gary Ellis, Stewart Cohen
  • Patent number: D630281
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Garageco Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Gary Ellis, Stewart Cohen