Patents by Inventor Hanns W. Tappeiner
Hanns W. Tappeiner 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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Patent number: 11173611Abstract: This specification relates to robots and audio processing in robots. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a robot that includes: a body and one or more physically moveable components; a plurality of accessory input subsystems and one or more other sensor subsystems; one or more processors; and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the robot to perform operations. The operations can include: receiving one or more sensor inputs from the one or more other sensor subsystems; determining a predicted direction of a detected sound emitter based on the one or more sensor inputs of the one or more other sensor subsystems; calculating a spatial filter based on the predicted direction; obtaining, by the plurality of accessory input subsystems, respective audio inputs; and processing the respective audio inputs according to the calculated spatial filter.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Digital Dream Labs, LLCInventors: Daniel Thomas Casner, Lee Crippen, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Kevin Yoon
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Patent number: 10970527Abstract: A robot that uses sensor inputs for attention activation and corresponding methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on computer storage media. The robot can be configured to compute a plurality of attention signals from sensor inputs and provide the plurality of attention signals as input to the attention level classifier to generate an attention level. If a user is paying attention to the robot based on the generated attention level, the robot selects a behavior to execute based on the current attention level, wherein a behavior comprises one or more coordinated actions to be performed by the robot.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Digital Dream Labs, LLCInventors: Hanns W. Tappeiner, Brad Neuman, Andrew Neil Stein, Lee Crippen
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Publication number: 20200331149Abstract: This specification relates to robots and audio processing in robots. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a robot that includes: a body and one or more physically moveable components; a plurality of accessory input subsystems and one or more other sensor subsystems; one or more processors; and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the robot to perform operations. The operations can include: receiving one or more sensor inputs from the one or more other sensor subsystems; determining a predicted direction of a detected sound emitter based on the one or more sensor inputs of the one or more other sensor subsystems; calculating a spatial filter based on the predicted direction; obtaining, by the plurality of accessory input subsystems, respective audio inputs; and processing the respective audio inputs according to the calculated spatial filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Digital Dream Labs, LLCInventors: Daniel Thomas Casner, Lee Crippen, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Kevin Yoon
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Patent number: 10766144Abstract: This specification relates to robots and audio processing in robots. One aspect of the subject matter includes: a body and one or more physically moveable components; a plurality of microphones; one or more processors; and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the robot to perform operations. The operations can include: obtaining map data of an environment of the robot; selecting a test location from the map data; navigating to the selected test location; receiving a sound wave propagating through the environment of the robot; computing one or more acoustic transfer functions for the test signal, wherein each acoustic transfer function represents how the test signal was transformed by the environment of the robot during its propogation through the environment of the robot; and storing each of the transfer functions in association with the test location.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: DIGITAL DREAM LABS, LLCInventors: Daniel Thomas Casner, Lee Crippen, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Anthony Armenta, Kevin Yoon
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Patent number: 10717197Abstract: This specification relates to robots and audio processing in robots. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a robot that includes: a body and one or more physically moveable components; a plurality of microphones and one or more other sensor subsystems; one or more processors; and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the robot to perform operations. The operations can include: receiving one or more sensor inputs from the one or more other sensor subsystems; determining a predicted direction of a detected sound emitter based on the one or more sensor inputs of the one or more other sensor subsystems; calculating a spatial filter based on the predicted direction; obtaining, by the plurality of microphones, respective audio inputs; and processing the respective audio inputs according to the calculated spatial filter.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: DIGITAL DREAM LABS, LLCInventors: Daniel Thomas Casner, Lee Crippen, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Kevin Yoon
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Publication number: 20190258523Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using character-driven robots and other agents for volunteer computing and other unengaged time computing tasks. One of the robots is configured to execute instructions that cause the robot to receive one or more sensor inputs from one or more sensor subsystems. From the one or more sensor inputs, a prediction representing a likelihood of one or more users engaging with the robot over a particular subsequent time period is computed. If the computed prediction indicates that the robot is in an unengaged state, the robot selects one or more unengaged time computing tasks and performs the selected one or more unengaged time computing tasks.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Hanns W. Tappeiner, Brad Neuman, Andrew Neil Stein, Jesse Easley, David Mudie, Troy Whitlock
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Publication number: 20190212441Abstract: This specification relates to robots and audio processing in robots. One aspect of the subject matter includes: a body and one or more physically moveable components; a plurality of microphones; one or more processors; and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the robot to perform operations. The operations can include: obtaining map data of an environment of the robot; selecting a test location from the map data; navigating to the selected test location; receiving a sound wave propagating through the environment of the robot; computing one or more acoustic transfer functions for the test signal, wherein each acoustic transfer function represents how the test signal was transformed by the environment of the robot during its propogation through the environment of the robot; and storing each of the transfer functions in association with the test location.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2018Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Daniel Thomas Casner, Lee Crippen, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Anthony Armenta, Kevin Yoon
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Publication number: 20190210227Abstract: This specification relates to robots and audio processing in robots. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a robot that includes: a body and one or more physically moveable components; a plurality of microphones and one or more other sensor subsystems; one or more processors; and one or more storage devices storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the robot to perform operations. The operations can include: receiving one or more sensor inputs from the one or more other sensor subsystems; determining a predicted direction of a detected sound emitter based on the one or more sensor inputs of the one or more other sensor subsystems; calculating a spatial filter based on the predicted direction; obtaining, by the plurality of microphones, respective audio inputs; and processing the respective audio inputs according to the calculated spatial filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2018Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Daniel Thomas Casner, Lee Crippen, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Kevin Yoon
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Publication number: 20190070735Abstract: A robot that uses sensor inputs for attention activation and corresponding methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on computer storage media. The robot can be configured to compute a plurality of attention signals from sensor inputs and provide the plurality of attention signals as input to the attention level classifier to generate an attention level. If a user is paying attention to the robot based on the generated attention level, the robot selects a behavior to execute based on the current attention level, wherein a behavior comprises one or more coordinated actions to be performed by the robot.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Hanns W. Tappeiner, Brad Neuman, Andrew Neil Stein, Lee Crippen
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Patent number: 10188958Abstract: A drivable surface includes a plurality of segments that can be arranged according to any desired configuration. One or more mobile agents are configured to automatically explore the drivable surface so as to ascertain the positions, orientations, and/or configurations of the various segments, as well as how they are connected to one another. The information collected during such exploration can be transmitted to a host device or other location, where a virtual representation of the drivable surface can be constructed based on the collected information.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Tian Yu Tommy Liu, Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 9950271Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 9694296Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20170136378Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20160144288Abstract: A drivable surface includes a plurality of segments that can be arranged according to any desired configuration. One or more mobile agents are configured to automatically explore the drivable surface so as to ascertain the positions, orientations, and/or configurations of the various segments, as well as how they are connected to one another. The information collected during such exploration can be transmitted to a host device or other location, where a virtual representation of the drivable surface can be constructed based on the collected information.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Tian Yu Tommy Liu, Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20160089612Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 9238177Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Publication number: 20150104996Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 8951093Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 8951092Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci
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Patent number: 8845385Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that is capable of assuming a plurality of different lateral positions while traveling along the surface. The mobile agent includes a drive motor, an imaging system, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller. The mobile agent is adapted to detect the markings as the mobile agent travels along the surface, to ascertain a current lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface, and to maintain a substantially consistent lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface (for example to follow a lane). A basestation may be provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. An action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and wirelessly communicated to the mobile agent.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Anki, Inc.Inventors: Boris Sofman, Hanns W. Tappeiner, Mark Palatucci