Patents by Inventor Robert Howes

Robert Howes 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: 10518132
    Abstract: A trampoline as a controller or an input device for playing games, comprising a frame having a flexible mat divided into input zones and one or more neutral zones, a sensor arrangement to detect activity on V the flexible mat, a controller configured to determine the bounce location and bounce zone of the activity and provide this information to a feedback generator for playing games on the trampoline, such that a user uses the trampoline to play games by jumping on the input and neutral zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TGOMA NZ LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Noel Dalley, John Robert Howe
  • Publication number: 20190358810
    Abstract: Methods and systems for training a robotic manipulator. The system may include one or more sensor devices and a robotic manipulator for executing an item grasping strategy to grasp an item. The system may further evaluate the item grasping strategy to determine whether the strategy was successful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Lael Odhner, Leif Jentoft, Yaroslav Tenzer, Mark Keck, Robert Howe
  • Publication number: 20190361672
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing a robotic grasping technique. The system in accordance with various embodiments may include a warehouse management system for retrieving and storing items, a robotic manipulator for grasping an item, and analysis module configured to receive data regarding a first grasp attempt by the robotic manipulator and analyze the received data to determine whether the robotic manipulator successfully grasped the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Lael Odhner, Leif Jentoft, Yaroslav Tenzer, Mark Keck, Robert Howe
  • Patent number: 10488284
    Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a pressure transducer encapsulated in an elastic material that defines a contact surface and provides a transmission path that transmits contact forces or pressure distributions applied to the contact surface to the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer can be enclosed in a protective housing that defines a chamber around the transducer. The housing can include one or more openings that expose the chamber to the exterior pressure. The tactile sensor can be made by applying the elastic material in liquid form and exposing the housing to a vacuum that removes air inside the chamber allowing the liquid elastic material to flow into the chamber. Once cured, the elastic material defines a contact surface of the tactile sensor and serves to transfer contact forces applied to the contact surface to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Leif Jentoft, Yaroslav Tenzer, Robert Howe
  • Patent number: 10456601
    Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's center at an estimated location for the iso-center of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-center of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-center of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-center of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: VISION RT LIMITED
    Inventors: Ivan Meir, Martin Allen, Gideon Hale, Norman Smith, Robert Howe
  • Publication number: 20190314679
    Abstract: A trampoline comprises multiple movement sensors associated with one or more parts of the trampoline which move when the trampoline is bounced on by a user such as the trampoline mat, and an electrical wiring loom which connects to the movement sensors to a controller or a common connector at another end of the wiring loom. Various sensor mount and wiring loom options are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Rhiannon Emrys McGrane, John Robert Howe, Neil Adrian Trimboy, Nigel James Sharplin, Steven Paul Morrison, Logan Alexander Stephens
  • Patent number: 10391359
    Abstract: A trampoline comprises multiple movement sensors associated with one or more parts of the trampoline which move when the trampoline is bounced on by a user such as the trampoline mat, and an electrical wiring loom which connects to the movement sensors to a controller or a common connector at another end of the wiring loom. Various sensor mount and wiring loom options are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TGOMA NZ LIMITED
    Inventors: Rhiannon Emrys McGrane, John Robert Howe, Neil Adrian Trimboy, Nigel James Sharplin, Steven Paul Morrison, Logan Alexander Stephens
  • Patent number: 10266090
    Abstract: A tailgate table. The tailgate table includes a panel having a first pair of legs pivotally affixed to a lower side at a first end of the panel. At least one fastener is disposed on a second end of the panel wherein the fastener is can removably secure the second end to a tailgate of a vehicle. The second end is beveled to engage with the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Inventor: Robert Howe
  • Publication number: 20190084462
    Abstract: A tailgate table. The tailgate table includes a panel having a first pair of legs pivotally affixed to a lower side at a first end of the panel. At least one fastener is disposed on a second end of the panel wherein the fastener is can removably secure the second end to a tailgate of a vehicle. The second end is beveled to engage with the tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventor: Robert Howe
  • Patent number: 10160364
    Abstract: The tailgate table includes a panel having a first pair of legs pivotally affixed to a lower side at a first end of the panel. At least one fastener is disposed on a second end of the panel wherein the fastener is can removably secure the second end to a tailgate of a vehicle. The second end is beveled to engage with the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Howe
  • Publication number: 20180311531
    Abstract: A trampoline as a controller or an input device for playing games, comprising a frame having a flexible mat divided into input zones and one or more neutral zones, a sensor arrangement to detect activity on V the flexible mat, a controller configured to determine the bounce location and bounce zone of the activity and provide this information to a feedback generator for playing games on the trampoline, such that a user uses the trampoline to play games by jumping on the input and neutral zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Edward Noel DALLEY, John Robert HOWE
  • Publication number: 20180221686
    Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's centre at an estimated location for the iso-centre of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the centre of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-centre of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Ivan MEIR, Martin ALLEN, Gideon HALE, Norman SMITH, Robert HOWE
  • Patent number: 9982095
    Abstract: The invention relates to new compounds of Formula 1: wherein R, R1, are each independently hydrogen, a linear or branched C1-40 alkyl, C2-40-alkenyl or C2-40-alkynyl group, an aryl or C1-40-alkylaryl group; X is H, OH, O(Mn)1/n or R4 where M is a metal ion derived from a lanthanide, actinide, main group or transition metal and V is a substituted C1-40-alkyl, C2-40-alkenyl or C2-40-alkynyl group or an aryl group or C1-40-alkylaryl sulfide, sulfoxide, sulfone, amine or a polyalkyl amine or phosphine or other phosphorous containing group; R4 is a linear or branched C1-40 alkyl, C2-40-alkenyl or C2-40-alkynyl group, an aryl or C1-40-alkylaryl group; e is an integer from 0 to 2; f is an integer from 1 to 100; n is an integer from 1 to 4: the free valences of the silicate oxygen atoms are saturated by one or more of: silicon atoms of other groups of Formula 1, hydrogen, a linear or branched C1-12-alkyl group or by cross-linking bridge members or by polymer chains (R2)2Si(OR3)1O1/2 or (R2)2SiO2/2 or (R2)3SiO1/2
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: PhosphonicS Ltd
    Inventors: John Robert Howe Wilson, Alice Caroline Sullivan, Siud Pui Man
  • Patent number: 9962561
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a calibration method including a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's center at an estimated location for the iso-center of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-center of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-center of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, and the images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a 3D camera system relative to the iso-center of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: VISION RT LIMITED
    Inventors: Ivan Meir, Martin Allen, Gideon Hale, Norman Smith, Robert Howe
  • Publication number: 20180072208
    Abstract: A tailgate table. The tailgate table includes a panel having a first pair of legs pivotally affixed to a lower side at a first end of the panel. At least one fastener is disposed on a second end of the panel wherein the fastener is can removably secure the second end to a tailgate of a vehicle. The second end is beveled to engage with the tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Howe
  • Publication number: 20170361155
    Abstract: A trampoline comprises multiple movement sensors associated with one or more parts of the trampoline which move when the trampoline is bounced on by a user such as the trampoline mat, and an electrical wiring loom which connects to the movement sensors to a controller or a common connector at another end of the wiring loom. Various sensor mount and wiring loom options are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Rhiannon Emrys McGrane, John Robert Howe, Neil Adrian Trimboy, Nigel James Sharplin, Steven Paul Morrison, Logan Alexander Stephens
  • Patent number: 9700748
    Abstract: A method of measuring an activity of a person/object on a flexible mat of a trampoline, comprising: determining a mat deformation signal based at least on measurements from a sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor and defining a coordinate space for the mat; the or each sensor being configured to measure a value corresponding to a deformation of the mat as the person/object moves on the mat; wherein, the value measured by die or each sensor corresponds to a proximity of the person/object to the sensor; determining a bounce coordinate in the coordinate spate based at least on the mat deformation signal; and determining a bounce location of the person/object on the mat based at least on the bounce coordinate in the coordinate space. Also provided is a trampoline configured to indicate an activity of a person/object on the mat and an interactive apparatus that includes the trampoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TGOMA NZ Limited
    Inventor: John Robert Howe
  • Publication number: 20170191891
    Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a pressure transducer encapsulated in an elastic material that defines a contact surface and provides a transmission path that transmits contact forces or pressure distributions applied to the contact surface to the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer can be enclosed in a protective housing that defines a chamber around the transducer. The housing can include one or more openings that expose the chamber to the exterior pressure. The tactile sensor can be made by applying the elastic material in liquid form and exposing the housing to a vacuum that removes air inside the chamber allowing the liquid elastic material to flow into the chamber. Once cured, the elastic material defines a contact surface of the tactile sensor and serves to transfer contact forces applied to the contact surface to the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Leif JENTOFT, Yaroslav TENZER, Robert HOWE
  • Publication number: 20170128779
    Abstract: A method of interpreting an activity of a person on a flexible mat of a trampoline, the method comprising: at least one processor determining a bounce instruction for the person on the flexible mat; determining a first bounce location of the person on the flexible mat; determining a second bounce location of the person on the flexible mat; determining a lead time boundary interval; responsive to determining a time of display of the bounce instruction prior to the lead time boundary interval, the at least one processor comparing the second bounce location with the bounce instruction; and responsive to determining a time of display of the bounce instruction within the lead time boundary interval, the at least one processor determining a third bounce location of the person on the flexible mat and comparing the third bounce location with the bounce instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: John Robert Howe, Neil Adrian Trimboy
  • Patent number: 9625333
    Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a pressure transducer encapsulated in an elastic material that defines a contact surface and provides a transmission path that transmits contact forces or pressure distributions applied to the contact surface to the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer can be enclosed in a protective housing that defines a chamber around the transducer. The housing can include one or more openings that expose the chamber to the exterior pressure. The tactile sensor can be made by applying the elastic material in liquid form and exposing the housing to a vacuum that removes air inside the chamber allowing the liquid elastic material to flow into the chamber. Once cured, the elastic material defines a contact surface of the tactile sensor and serves to transfer contact forces applied to the contact surface to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Leif Jentoft, Yaroslav Tenzer, Robert Howe