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).

  • Method and system for multi-mode coverage for an autonomous robot
    Publication number: 20040207355
    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: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Method and system for robot localization and confinement
    Patent number: 6781338
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: IRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Method and system for robot localization and confinement
    Publication number: 20040085037
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Method and system for robot localization and confinement
    Patent number: 6690134
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: IRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Method and system for multi-mode coverage for an autonomous robot
    Publication number: 20030025472
    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: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass