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).
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Patent number: 8368339Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 8310663Abstract: A system for calculating intrinsic properties and an entry pupil location of an adjustable camera lens is disclosed. The system includes a camera and a calibration target. Methods for calculating intrinsic properties and an entry pupil location of an adjustable camera lens are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Lightcraft Technology, LLCInventors: Newton Eliot Mack, Philip R. Mass
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Publication number: 20120049798Abstract: 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: November 8, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel Ozick, Clara Yu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
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Publication number: 20110026014Abstract: A system for calculating intrinsic properties and an entry pupil location of an adjustable camera lens is disclosed. The system includes a camera and a calibration target. Methods for calculating intrinsic properties and an entry pupil location of an adjustable camera lens are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: Lightcraft Technology, LLCInventors: Newton Eliot Mack, Philip R. Mass
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Publication number: 20100312429Abstract: A robot confinement system includes a portable housing and a mobile robot. The portable housing includes an emitter operable to emit a first signal when a presence of the robot is detected in a field of detection. The robot includes a controller operable to control a movement path of the robot on a surface and a cleaner operable to clean the surface as the robot moves on the surface. The robot further includes a detector operable to detect the first signal emitted by the portable housing. The controller is operable to change the movement path of the robot in response to detection of the first signal. One of the portable housing and the robot is operable to detect a second signal generated by the other of the portable housing and the robot to detect the presence of the robot in the field of detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Publication number: 20100268384Abstract: A robot confinement system includes a portable housing and a mobile robot. The portable housing includes a first detector operable to detect a presence of the mobile robot in a field of detection, and an emitter operable to emit a first signal when the first detector detects the presence of the mobile robot in the field of detection. The mobile robot is operable to move on a surface to clean the surface and includes a controller operable to control a movement path of the mobile robot on the surface. The mobile robot further includes a second detector operable to detect the first signal emitted by the portable housing. The controller of the mobile robot is operable to change the movement path of the mobile robot in response to detection of the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Publication number: 20100263142Abstract: A mobile robot operable to move on a surface in a room is provided. The mobile robot includes a shell and a chassis including at least two wheels. At least one motor is connected to the wheels for moving the mobile robot on the surface. A cleaner is operable to clean the surface as the mobile robot moves on the surface. A wall sensor is operable to detect a wall in the room as the mobile robot moves on the surface. A controller is operable to control the motor to move the mobile robot on the surface in accordance with a wall following mode and a bounce mode. In the wall following mode, the mobile robot moves generally adjacent to and along the wall in response to detection of the wall by the wall sensor. In the bounce mode, the mobile robot moves away from the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph L. JONES, Philip R. MASS
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Publication number: 20100049365Abstract: 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: October 30, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 7663333Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Publication number: 20090319083Abstract: 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: August 13, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 7579803Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 7567052Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 7429843Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 7388343Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 7332890Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 7240396Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc.Inventors: Victor W. Thomas, Sr., Robert K. Kay, Jayant Sharma, Philip R. Mass, Rosario Robert, Colin Angle, Lee F. Sword, Joseph L. Jones, Paul E. Sandin, John P. O'Brien, Benjamin L. Wirz, Mark Chiappetta, Gideon Coltof
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Patent number: 7196487Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 7173391Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 6965209Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: IRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
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Patent number: 6809490Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass