Patents by Inventor Philip Mass
Philip Mass 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: 7999862Abstract: A system and method for removing background lighting variations from an image. The method includes capturing at least one first image including a first background and a subject wherein the at least one first image includes at least one background lighting variation, creating a virtual background model of the first background, creating a virtual background image that is substantially similar to the first background, and generating an output comprising at least one first image with at least one background lighting variation removed therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Lightcraft Technology, LLCInventors: Newton Eliot Mack, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20090262217Abstract: A system and method for removing background lighting variations from an image. The method includes capturing at least one first image including a first background and a subject wherein the at least one first image includes at least one background lighting variation, creating a virtual background model of the first background, creating a virtual background image that is substantially similar to the first background, and generating an output comprising at least one first image with at least one background lighting variation removed therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Newton Eliot Mack, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20080084174Abstract: A method of confining a robot in a work space includes providing a portable barrier signal transmitting device including a primary emitter emitting a confinement beam primarily along an axis defining a directed barrier. A mobile robot including a detector, a drive motor and a control unit controlling the drive motor is caused to avoid the directed barrier upon detection by the detector on the robot. The detector on the robot has an omnidirectional field of view parallel to the plane of movement of the robot. The detector receives confinement light beams substantially in a plane at the height of the field of view while blocking or rejecting confinement light beams substantially above or substantially below the plane at the height of the field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: April 10, 2008Inventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20080051953Abstract: A directed beam emitter system for robot navigation in which a light beam emitter emits a modulated directed light beam of a first modulation and an omnidirectional diffuse light region emitter emits a modulated diffuse light region of a second modulation. The modulated directed light beam and the modulated diffuse light region overlap in a plane parallel to ground level such that a light beam receiver on a robot may detect either one or both of the modulated directed light beam and the modulated diffuse light region. The light beam emitter is responsive to a control system used to control one or more light beam emitters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20080007193Abstract: A control system for a mobile robot (10) is provided to effectively cover a given area by operating in a plurality of modes, including an obstacle following mode (51) and a random bounce mode (49). In other embodiments, spot coverage, such as spiraling (45), or other modes are also used to increase effectiveness. In addition, a behavior based architecture is used to implement the control system, and various escape behaviors are used to ensure full coverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20080007203Abstract: A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: David Cohen, Daniel Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20080001566Abstract: A control system for a mobile robot (10) is provided to effectively cover a given area by operating in a plurality of modes, including an obstacle following mode (51) and a random bounce mode (49). In other embodiments, spot coverage, such as spiraling (45), or other modes are also used to increase effectiveness. In addition, a behavior based architecture is used to implement the control system, and various escape behaviors are used to ensure full coverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20070290649Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction signal is no longer detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20070285041Abstract: A control system for a mobile robot (10) is provided to effectively cover a given area by operating in a plurality of modes, including an obstacle following mode (51) and a random bounce mode (49). In other embodiments, spot coverage, such as spiraling (45), or other modes are also used to increase effectiveness. In addition, a behavior based architecture is used to implement the control system, and various escape behaviors are used to ensure full coverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20070267998Abstract: A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station. Also disclosed are systems and methods for confirming a presence of a robotic device docked with a charger by recognizing a load formed by a circuit in the charger combined with a complementary circuit in the robotic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: David Cohen, Daniel Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20070213892Abstract: A control system for a mobile robot (10) is provided to effectively cover a given area by operating in a plurality of modes, including an obstacle following mode (51) and a random bounce mode (49). In other embodiments, spot coverage, such as spiraling (45), or other modes are also used to increase effectiveness. In addition, a behavior based architecture is used to implement the control system, and various escape behaviors are used to ensure full coverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20070114975Abstract: A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: David Cohen, Daniel Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20060038521Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2005Publication date: February 23, 2006Inventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20050156562Abstract: A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2004Publication date: July 21, 2005Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: David Cohen, Daniel Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20050067994Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2004Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Joseph Jones, Philip Mass
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Publication number: 20050015915Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Victor Thomas, Robert Kay, Jayant Sharma, Philip Mass, Rosario Robert, Colin Angle, Lee Sword, Joseph Jones, Paul Sandin, John O'Brien, Benjamin Wirz, Mark Chiappetta, Gideon Coltof