Patents by Inventor Michael J. Halloran
Michael J. Halloran 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: 11930992Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive operable to move the autonomous cleaning robot across a floor surface; a cleaning assembly configured to clean the floor surface; a receiver configured to receive an indication of cat activity in a cat box; and a controller configured to navigate the autonomous cleaning robot to the cat box to execute a cleaning mission in response to the received indication of cat activity.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Anders Bialek, John Sinnigen, Colin Angle, Michael J. Halloran
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Publication number: 20240051153Abstract: A mobile robot includes a processor connected to a memory and a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit. The processor drives the mobile robot to a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household, and commands an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, to perform mechanical work in the household. A plurality of routines include a first routine which monitors a wireless local network and detects a presence of a network entity on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence and on the action state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Colin Angle, David Snelling, Melissa O'Dea, Timothy S. Farlow, Samuel Duffley, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Michael J. Halloran
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Patent number: 11648685Abstract: A mobile robot includes a processor connected to a memory and a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit. The processor drives the mobile robot to a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household, and commands an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, to perform mechanical work in the household. A plurality of routines include a first routine which monitors a wireless local network and detects a presence of a network entity on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence and on the action state.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Colin Angle, David Snelling, Melissa O'Dea, Timothy S. Farlow, Samuel Duffley, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Michael J. Halloran
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Publication number: 20220229434Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive system to support the autonomous cleaning robot above a floor surface, an image capture device positioned on the autonomous cleaning robot to capture imagery of a portion of the floor surface forward of the autonomous cleaning robot, and a controller operably connected to the drive system and the image capture device. The drive system is operable to maneuver the autonomous cleaning robot about the floor surface. The controller is configured to execute instructions to perform operations including initiating, based on a user-selected sensitivity and the imagery captured by the image capture device, an avoidance behavior to avoid an obstacle on the portion of the floor surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Husain al-Mohssen, Zupei Li, Elena Jakubiak, Laura V. Herlant, Michael J. Halloran, Danielle O`Connor Dean
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Patent number: 11327483Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive system to support the autonomous cleaning robot above a floor surface, an image capture device positioned on the autonomous cleaning robot to capture imagery of a portion of the floor surface forward of the autonomous cleaning robot, and a controller operably connected to the drive system and the image capture device. The drive system is operable to maneuver the autonomous cleaning robot about the floor surface. The controller is configured to execute instructions to perform operations including initiating, based on a user-selected sensitivity and the imagery captured by the image capture device, an avoidance behavior to avoid an obstacle on the portion of the floor surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Husain al-Mohssen, Zupei Li, Elena Jakubiak, Laura V. Herlant, Michael J. Halloran, Danielle O'Connor Dean
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Publication number: 20220133110Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive operable to move the autonomous cleaning robot across a floor surface; a cleaning assembly configured to clean the floor surface; a receiver configured to receive an indication of cat activity in a cat box; and a controller configured to navigate the autonomous cleaning robot to the cat box to execute a cleaning mission in response to the received indication of cat activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Anders Bialek, John Sinnigen, Colin Angle, Michael J. Halloran
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Patent number: 11191407Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive operable to move the autonomous cleaning robot across a floor surface; a cleaning assembly configured to clean the floor surface; a receiver configured to receive an indication of cat activity in a cat box; and a controller configured to navigate the autonomous cleaning robot to the cat box to execute a cleaning mission in response to the received indication of cat activity.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Anders Bialek, John Sinnigen, Colin Angle, Michael J. Halloran
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Publication number: 20210204787Abstract: A method of scheduling a robotic device enables the device to run autonomously based on previously loaded scheduling information. The method consists of a communication device, such as a hand-held remote device, that can directly control the robotic device, or load scheduling information into the robotic device such that it will carry out a defined task at the desired time without the need for further external control. The communication device can also be configured to load a scheduling application program into an existing robotic device, such that the robotic device can receive and implement scheduling information from a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Gregg W. Landry, Michael J. Halloran, James Lynch
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Publication number: 20210096560Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive system to support the autonomous cleaning robot above a floor surface, an image capture device positioned on the autonomous cleaning robot to capture imagery of a portion of the floor surface forward of the autonomous cleaning robot, and a controller operably connected to the drive system and the image capture device. The drive system is operable to maneuver the autonomous cleaning robot about the floor surface. The controller is configured to execute instructions to perform operations including initiating, based on a user-selected sensitivity and the imagery captured by the image capture device, an avoidance behavior to avoid an obstacle on the portion of the floor surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Husain al-Mohssen, Zupei Li, Elena Jakubiak, Laura V. Herlant, Michael J. Halloran, Danielle O'Connor Dean
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Patent number: 10893787Abstract: A method of scheduling a robotic device enables the device to run autonomously based on previously loaded scheduling information. The method consists of a communication device, such as a hand-held remote device, that can directly control the robotic device, or load scheduling information into the robotic device such that it will carry out a defined task at the desired time without the need for farther external control. The communication device can also be configured to load a scheduling application program into an existing robotic device, such that the robotic device can receive and implement scheduling information from a user.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Gregg W. Landry, Michael J. Halloran, James Lynch
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Publication number: 20200403820Abstract: A mobile robot includes a processor connected to a memory and a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit. The processor drives the mobile robot to a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household, and commands an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, to perform mechanical work in the household. A plurality of routines include a first routine which monitors a wireless local network and detects a presence of a network entity on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence and on the action state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Colin Angle, David Snelling, Melissa O'Dea, Timothy S. Farlow, Samuel Duffley, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Michael J. Halloran
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Publication number: 20200245836Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive operable to move the autonomous cleaning robot across a floor surface; a cleaning assembly configured to clean the floor surface; a receiver configured to receive an indication of cat activity in a cat box; and a controller configured to navigate the autonomous cleaning robot to the cat box to execute a cleaning mission in response to the received indication of cat activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Anders Bialek, John Sinnigen, Colin Angle, Michael J. Halloran
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Patent number: 10488857Abstract: A computer-implemented method for receiving user commands for a remote cleaning robot and sending the user commands to the remote cleaning robot, the remote cleaning robot including a drive motor and a cleaning motor, includes displaying a user interface including a control area, and within the control area: a user-manipulable launch control group including a plurality of control elements, the launch control group having a deferred launch control state and an immediate launch control state; at least one user-manipulable cleaning strategy control element having a primary cleaning strategy control state and an alternative cleaning strategy control state; and a physical recall control group including a plurality of control elements, the physical recall control group having an immediate recall control state and a remote audible locator control state.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Samuel Duffley, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Michael J. Halloran
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Patent number: 10463217Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive operable to move the autonomous cleaning robot across a floor surface; a cleaning assembly configured to clean the floor surface; a receiver configured to receive an indication of cat activity in a cat box; and a controller configured to navigate the autonomous cleaning robot to the cat box to execute a cleaning mission in response to the received indication of cat activity.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Anders Bialek, John Sinnigen, Colin Angle, Michael J. Halloran
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Patent number: 10391638Abstract: A mobile robot includes a processor connected to a memory and a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit. The processor drives the mobile robot to a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household, and commands an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, to perform mechanical work in the household. A plurality of routines include a first routine which monitors a wireless local network and detects a presence of a network entity on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence and on the action state.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Colin Angle, David Snelling, Melissa O'Dea, Timothy S. Farlow, Samuel Duffley, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Michael J. Halloran
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Publication number: 20190097827Abstract: A mobile robot includes a processor connected to a memory and a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit. The processor drives the mobile robot to a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household, and commands an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, to perform mechanical work in the household. A plurality of routines include a first routine which monitors a wireless local network and detects a presence of a network entity on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence and on the action state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Colin Angle, David Snelling, Melissa O'Dea, Timothy S. Farlow, Samuel Duffley, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Michael J. Halloran
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Patent number: 10182695Abstract: A power-saving robot system includes at least one peripheral device and a mobile robot. The peripheral device includes a controller having an active mode and a hibernation mode, and a wireless communication component capable of activation in the hibernation mode. A controller of the robot has an activating routine that communicates with and temporarily activates the peripheral device, via wireless communication, from the hibernation mode. In another aspect a robot system includes a network data bridge and a mobile robot. The network data bridge includes a broadband network interface, a wireless command interface, and a data bridge component. The data bridge component extracts serial commands received via the broadband network interface from an internet protocol, applies a command protocol thereto, and broadcasts the serial commands via the wireless interface. The mobile robot includes a wireless command communication component that receives the serial commands transmitted from the network data bridge.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Michael J. Halloran, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Tony L. Campbell, Jason S. Walker, Paul E. Sandin, John N. Billington, Jr., Daniel N. Ozick
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Publication number: 20180304472Abstract: A mobile robot includes a processor connected to a memory and a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit. The processor drives the mobile robot to a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household, and commands an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, to perform mechanical work in the household. A plurality of routines include a first routine which monitors a wireless local network and detects a presence of a network entity on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence and on the action state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Colin Angle, David Snelling, Melissa O'Dea, Timothy S. Farlow, Samuel Duffley, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Michael J. Halloran
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Patent number: 10045676Abstract: A method of scheduling a robotic device enables the device to run autonomously based on previously loaded scheduling information. The method consists of a communication device, such as a hand-held remote device, that can directly control the robotic device, or load scheduling information into the robotic device such that it will carry out a defined task at the desired time without the need for further external control. The communication device can also be configured to load a scheduling application program into an existing robotic device, such that the robotic device can receive and implement scheduling information from a user.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Gregg W. Landry, Michael J. Halloran, James Lynch
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Publication number: 20180146833Abstract: A power-saving robot system includes at least one peripheral device and a mobile robot. The peripheral device includes a controller having an active mode and a hibernation mode, and a wireless communication component capable of activation in the hibernation mode. A controller of the robot has an activating routine that communicates with and temporarily activates the peripheral device, via wireless communication, from the hibernation mode. In another aspect a robot system includes a network data bridge and a mobile robot. The network data bridge includes a broadband network interface, a wireless command interface, and a data bridge component. The data bridge component extracts serial commands received via the broadband network interface from an internet protocol, applies a command protocol thereto, and broadcasts the serial commands via the wireless interface. The mobile robot includes a wireless command communication component that receives the serial commands transmitted from the network data bridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Halloran, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Tony L. Campbell, Jason S. Walker, Paul E. Sandin, John N. Billington, JR., Daniel N. Ozick