Patents by Inventor James Allard

James Allard 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).

  • Patent number: 10400783
    Abstract: A low-noise, high-volume air mover is used in a recreational vehicle to push air. The air mover is smaller than previous designs used, moves more cubic feet of air than previous designs used, and produces less sound than previous designs used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: James Allard, Mark L. Smith, Hari Sunkara
  • Publication number: 20190033866
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippop, Selma Svendsen
  • Patent number: 10093152
    Abstract: An air vent may cover an opening formed in a structure to block water or debris from entering an interior of the structure through the opening. The air vent is movable between a closed and an open position to selectively block or allow fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: James Allard, Mark L. Smith, Hari Sunkara
  • Patent number: 10088845
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20170102701
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
  • Patent number: 9513634
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
  • Patent number: 9429944
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: Deere & Company, iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Mikhail O. Filippov, Osa Fitch, Scott P. Keller, John O'Connor, David S. Zendzian, Nadim El Fata, Kevin Larsen, Arlen Eugene Meuchel, Mark David Schmaltz, James Allard, Chris A. De Roo, William Robert Norris, Andrew Julian Norby, Christopher David Glenn Turner
  • Publication number: 20160187885
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20150352924
    Abstract: An air vent may cover an opening formed in a structure to block water or debris from entering an interior of the structure through the opening. The air vent is movable between a closed and an open position to selectively block or allow fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: James ALLARD, Mark L. SMITH, Hari SUNKARA
  • Patent number: 9110471
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Todd Pack, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
  • Patent number: 9098080
    Abstract: Systems and methods for switching between autonomous and manual operation of a vehicle are described. A mechanical control system can receive manual inputs from a mechanical operation member to operate the vehicle in manual mode. An actuator can receive autonomous control signals generated by a controller. When the actuator is engaged, it operates the vehicle in an autonomous mode, and when disengaged, the vehicle is operated in manual mode. Operating the vehicle in an autonomous mode can include automatically controlling steering, braking, throttle, and transmission. A system may also allow the vehicle to be operated via remote command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignees: Deere & Company, iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: William Robert Norris, James Allard, Mikhail O. Filippov, Robert Dale Haun, Christopher David Glenn Turner, Seth Gilbertson, Andrew Julian Norby
  • Patent number: 9043016
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: Deere & Company, iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Mikhail O. Filippov, Osa Fitch, Scott P. Keller, John O'Connor, David S. Zendzian, Nadim El Fata, Kevin Larsen, Arlen Eugene Meuchel, Mark David Schmaltz, James Allard, Chris A. De Roo, William Robert Norris, Andrew Julian Norby, Christopher David Glenn Turner
  • Patent number: 8874300
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for obstacle avoidance. In some embodiments, a robotically controlled vehicle capable of operating in one or more modes may be provided. Examples of such modes include teleoperation, waypoint navigation, follow, and manual mode. The vehicle may include an obstacle detection and avoidance system capable of being implemented with one or more of the vehicle modes. A control system may be provided to operate and control the vehicle in the one or more modes. The control system may include a robotic control unit and a vehicle control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Deere & Company, iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: James Allard, Kathleen A. Wienhold, William Robert Norris, Anthony Francis Catalfano
  • Publication number: 20140278865
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to directly distributing an offer from a merchant to a user based on a relationship established via the Internet. More specifically, the user can request and/or accept a relationship with an entity in which such relationship is leveraged by the merchant to either directly communicate an offer to such user and/or directly communicate an offer to such user and one or more relationships associated with such user. Moreover, based on the one or more relationships redeeming or using the offer, the user can be provided with a specific offer and/or an offer customizable to his or her preferences within one or more guidelines from the merchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SPLASHCO, INC.
    Inventors: Anush KUMAR, Arvind SRINIVASAN, Steve ROSEN, Naman SINGHAL, James ALLARD
  • Patent number: D762528
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: James Allard, Mark L. Smith, Hari Sunkara
  • Patent number: D782939
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: James Allard, Mark L. Smith, Hari Sunkara
  • Patent number: D782940
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: James Allard, Mark L. Smith, Hari Sunkara
  • Patent number: D782941
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: James Allard, Mark L. Smith, Hari Sunkara
  • Fan
    Patent number: D787037
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: James Allard, Mark L. Smith, Hari Sunkara
  • Fan
    Patent number: D806223
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: James Allard, Mark L. Smith, Hari Sunkara