Patents by Inventor Jeff Wiencrot

Jeff Wiencrot 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: 20220244738
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for operating a self-propelled device. In examples, an indication of a surface color on which the self-propelled device operates is received from one or more optical sensors. A color transition from a first color to a second color may be determined based on the received indication. Based on the determined color transition, an activity may be determined. For example, an activity may cause the self-propelled device to move, emit a sound, or illuminate a light, such as an LED. The determined activity may then be performed. In some examples, a hysteresis band may limit the effects of noise and other variations in the color signal. Accordingly, a color transition may occur when color values associated with the surface color indicated are within a first area but not within a second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Wiencrot
  • Patent number: 11156457
    Abstract: Disposed within the body of a robotic device are an output element, accelerometer, gyroscope, and processor. The accelerometer sends a signal to the processor in response to detection of a vibration external to the body. The gyroscope sends a signal to the processor in response to a detection of movement of the body. The processor then sends an action signal to the output element based on the signals received from the accelerometer and gyroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Wiencrot, Grant Fritz
  • Publication number: 20190186915
    Abstract: Disposed within the body of a robotic device are an output element, accelerometer, gyroscope, and processor. The accelerometer sends a signal to the processor in response to detection of a vibration external to the body. The gyroscope sends a signal to the processor in response to a detection of movement of the body. The processor then sends an action signal to the output element based on the signals received from the accelerometer and gyroscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Wiencrot, Grant Fritz