Patents by Inventor Selma Svendsen

Selma Svendsen 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: 7499774
    Abstract: System and method for processing a safety signal in an autonomous vehicle. Safety signals are typically generated in response to the detection of unsafe conditions or are sent by the vehicle operator. In either case, the safety signals are conveyed using redundant communication paths. The paths include a computer network and a current loop. The safety signals are processed, thereby causing actuators (e.g., linkages) to manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, accelerator, or transmission shifter). The manipulation ensures the vehicle responds appropriately to the safety signals, for example, by shutting down the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Barrett, James Allard, Misha Filippov, Robert Todd Pack, Selma Svendsen
  • Patent number: 7499775
    Abstract: System and method for tracking obstacles by an autonomous vehicle. Localization sensors (i.e., sensors to measure pitch, roll, and yaw, and systems including an inertial navigation system, a compass, a global positioning system, or an odometer) detect the position of the vehicle. Perception sensors (e.g., LIDAR, stereo vision, infrared vision, radar, or sonar) assess the environment about the vehicle. Using these sensors, locations of terrain features relative to the vehicle are computed and kept up-to-date. The vehicle trajectory is adjusted to avoid terrain features that are obstacles in the path of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Misha Filippov, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Robert Todd Pack, Selma Svendsen
  • Patent number: 7499804
    Abstract: System and method for multi-modal control of a vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, accelerator, throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. After receipt of a mode select command that dictates the operational mode of the vehicle (e.g., manned operation, remote unmanned tele-operation, assisted remote tele-operation, and autonomous unmanned operation), the actuators manipulate the operator input devices, in accordance with the behaviors, to affect the desired operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Selma Svendsen, James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Robert Todd Pack
  • Patent number: 7499776
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: James Allard, David S. Barrett, Misha Filippov, Robert Todd Pack, Selma Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20090044370
    Abstract: A cleaning robot system includes a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing and a driven cleaning roller. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing and a docking platform configured to support the robot when docked. A mechanical agitator engages the roller of the robot with the robot docked. The agitator includes an agitator comb having multiple teeth configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller as the agitator comb and roller are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station includes a collection bin arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chikyung Won, Stephen A. Hickey, Mark Schnittman, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Selma Svendsen, Jed Lowry, David Swett, John Devlin
  • Publication number: 20090007366
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a body having at least one outer wall, a drive system disposed on the body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface, and a cleaning assembly carried by the body. The cleaning assembly includes first and second cleaning rollers rotatably coupled to the body, a suction assembly having a channel disposed adjacent at least one of the cleaning rollers, and a container in fluid communication with the channel. The container is configured to collect debris drawn into the channel. The suction assembly is configured to draw debris removed from the work surface by at least one of the cleaning rollers into the channel, and the container has a wall common with the at least one outer wall of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Selma Svendsen, Daniel N. Ozick, Christopher M. Casey, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Tony L. Campbell, Chikyung Won, Christopher John Morse, Scott Thomas Burnett
  • Publication number: 20080282494
    Abstract: A coverage robot including a chassis, multiple drive wheel assemblies disposed on the chassis, and a cleaning assembly carried by the chassis. Each drive wheel assembly including a drive wheel assembly housing, a wheel rotatably coupled to the housing, and a wheel drive motor carried by the drive wheel assembly housing and operable to drive the wheel. The cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing, a cleaning head rotatably coupled to the cleaning assembly housing, and a cleaning drive motor carried by cleaning assembly housing and operable to drive the cleaning head. The wheel assemblies and the cleaning assembly are each separately and independently removable from respective receptacles of the chassis as complete units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Chikyung Won, Selma Svendsen, Paul E. Sandin, Scott Thomas Burnett, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Stephen A. Hickey, Robert Rizzari, Zivthan A.C. Dubrovsky
  • Patent number: 7441298
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system to maneuver the robot, an edge cleaning head carried, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor motor current associated with the edge cleaning head and to reverse bias the edge cleaning head motor in response to an elevated motor current, while continuing to maneuver the robot across the floor. In another aspect, an autonomous coverage robot includes a drive system, a bump sensor, and a proximity sensor. The drive system is configured to reduce a speed setting in response to a signal from the proximity sensor indicating detection of a potential obstacle in a forward direction, while continuing to advance the robot according to a heading setting. Furthermore, the drive system is configured to alter the heading setting in response to a signal received from the bump sensor indicating contact with an obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Selma Svendsen, Daniel N. Ozick, Christopher M. Casey, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Tony L. Campbell, Chikyung Won, Christopher John Morse, Scott Thomas Burnett
  • Publication number: 20080091305
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a drive system, a bump sensor, and a proximity sensor. The drive system is configured to maneuver the robot according to a heading (turn) setting and a speed setting. The bump sensor is responsive to a collision of the robot with an obstacle in a forward direction. A method of navigating an autonomous coverage robot with respect to an object on a floor includes the robot autonomously traversing the floor in a cleaning mode at a full cleaning speed. Upon sensing a proximity of the object forward of the robot, the robot reduces the cleaning speed to a reduced cleaning speed while continuing towards the object until the robot detects a contact with the object. Upon sensing contact with the object, the robot turns with respect to the object and cleans next to the object, optionally substantially at the reduced cleaning speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: IRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Selma Svendsen, Daniel Ozick, Christopher Casey, Deepak Kapoor, Tony Campbell, Chikyung Won, Christopher Morse, Scott Burnett
  • Publication number: 20070234492
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system to maneuver the robot, an edge cleaning head carried, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor motor current associated with the edge cleaning head and to reverse bias the edge cleaning head motor in response to an elevated motor current, while continuing to maneuver the robot across the floor. In another aspect, an autonomous coverage robot includes a drive system, a bump sensor, and a proximity sensor. The drive system is configured to reduce a speed setting in response to a signal from the proximity sensor indicating detection of a potential obstacle in a forward direction, while continuing to advance the robot according to a heading setting. Furthermore, the drive system is configured to alter the heading setting in response to a signal received from the bump sensor indicating contact with an obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Selma Svendsen, Daniel Ozick, Christopher Casey, Deepak Kapoor, Tony Campbell, Chikyung Won, Christopher Morse, Scott Burnett
  • Publication number: 20060089765
    Abstract: System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Pack, James Allard, David Barrett, Misha Filippov, Selma Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20060089764
    Abstract: System and method for tracking obstacles by an autonomous vehicle. Localization sensors (i.e., sensors to measure pitch, roll, and yaw, and systems including an inertial navigation system, a compass, a global positioning system, or an odometer) detect the position of the vehicle. Perception sensors (e.g., LIDAR, stereo vision, infrared vision, radar, or sonar) assess the environment about the vehicle. Using these sensors, locations of terrain features relative to the vehicle are computed and kept up-to-date. The vehicle trajectory is adjusted to avoid terrain features that are obstacles in the path of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Misha Filippov, James Allard, David Barrett, Robert Pack, Selma Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20060089763
    Abstract: System and method for processing a safety signal in an autonomous vehicle. Safety signals are typically generated in response to the detection of unsafe conditions or are sent by the vehicle operator. In either case, the safety signals are conveyed using redundant communication paths. The paths include a computer network and a current loop. The safety signals are processed, thereby causing actuators (e.g., linkages) to manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, accelerator, or transmission shifter). The manipulation ensures the vehicle responds appropriately to the safety signals, for example, by shutting down the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: David Barrett, James Allard, Misha Filippov, Robert Pack, Selma Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20060089766
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interruptible autonomous control of a vehicle. Autonomous control is achieved by using actuators that interact with input devices in the vehicle. The actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate the input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, tie rods, steering gear, throttle lever, or accelerator) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Although operating autonomously, manual operation of the vehicle is possible following the detection of events that suggest manual control is desired. Subsequent autonomous control may be permitted, permitted after a prescribed delay, or prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: James Allard, David Barrett, Misha Filippov, Robert Pack, Selma Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20060089800
    Abstract: System and method for multi-modal control of a vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle, brake, accelerator, throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. After receipt of a mode select command that dictates the operational mode of the vehicle (e.g., manned operation, remote unmanned tele-operation, assisted remote tele-operation, and autonomous unmanned operation), the actuators manipulate the operator input devices, in accordance with the behaviors, to affect the desired operational mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Selma Svendsen, James Allard, David Barrett, Misha Filippov, Robert Pack