Patents by Inventor Philip R. Mass

Philip R. 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).

  • Patent number: 10824165
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20200323408
    Abstract: A method for energy management 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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 10758100
    Abstract: A method for energy management 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 10675758
    Abstract: A method for energy management 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20190358547
    Abstract: A system which enables third person observation of an AR or VR player and their interaction with the virtual environment, including a separate live action spectator camera, a system to track that camera, and a system to integrate the live action and virtual images in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: LIGHTCRAFT TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Newton Eliot Mack, Philip R. Mass, Winston C. Tao
  • Publication number: 20190333541
    Abstract: A system for combining live action and virtual images in real time that enables automatic time and position alignment between the live action and virtual images, and provides a self-contained tracking sensor that enables wireless and multi-camera operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Newton Eliot Mack, Philip R. Mass, Kyle E. Murphey
  • Publication number: 20190279428
    Abstract: A system for combining live action and virtual images in real time into a final composite image as viewed by a user through a head mounted display, and which uses a self-contained tracking sensor to enable large groups of users to use the system simultaneously and in complex walled environments, and a color keying based algorithm to determine display of real or virtual imagery to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Newton Eliot Mack, Philip R. Mass, Winston C. Tao
  • Publication number: 20180292828
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20180236663
    Abstract: A method for energy management 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 9958871
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 9931750
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 9884423
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20170217019
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20170097641
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20170072564
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 9582005
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 9550294
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20160354931
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 9327407
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20160075021
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass