Patents by Inventor Stefan Grufman
Stefan Grufman 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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Publication number: 20230034100Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a robotic work tool (100), the robotic work tool (100) being configured to determine (410) that the robotic work tool (100) has entered a state of limited movement; determine (420) an exit path; and exit (430) the state of limited movement by navigating the exit path.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2020Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Jonas Holgersson, Stefan Bergström, Hugo Johansson, Erik Starhagen, Claes Johannesson, Marcus Stjärnås, Fredrik Klackensjö, Tommy Glimberg, Stefan Grufman, Mattias Kamfors, Marcus Liljedahl, Björn Mannefred, Beppe Hellsin
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Publication number: 20230010420Abstract: A method for operating a robotic work tool (1) comprising a sensor for detecting a boundary wire (3) demarcating a work area (2). The method comprises the steps of detecting (9) at least a partial crossing of the boundary wire (3), allowing (12) a crossing of the boundary wire (3) by an offset, switching (8) between a first offset setting and at least a second offset setting of the work tool (1) based on one or more events (7). A robotic work tool (1) comprises a controller for controlling the operation of the robotic working tool (1). The controller is configured to: control the work tool (1) to operate within the work area (2), determine whether the work tool (1) crosses the boundary wire (3), allow a crossing of the wire (3) by the offset, and switch (8) between at least two offset settings stored in the work tool (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Tommy Glimberg, Stefan Grufman, Fredrik Kallström, Mattias Kamfors, Marcus Liljedahl, Björn Mannefred, Beppe Hellsin
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Patent number: 11547041Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled robotic tool (1) and a method in a self-propelled robotic tool (1), being used to detecting lifting of the self-propelled robotic device from the ground. The method includes collecting (21) driving data (31) related to the driving of a wheel (5), collecting (23) measured inertia data from an inertial measurement unit (13), IMU, in the self-propelled robotic tool, determining (25), using an estimation function (33), a residual parameter corresponding to a differential between said measured inertia data and estimated inertia data resulting from said driving data being input to said estimation function, and determining a lifting condition based on the residual parameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Stefan Grufman, Jonas Rangsjö, Fredrik Kallström
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Publication number: 20220342425Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) for avoiding trails from a robotic work tool (100) in a transit zone (300) in which the robotic work tool (100) is allowed to travel from a start point (320) to a goal point (330) along a travel path (310). The system (200) comprises at least one memory (120,220) configured to store information about the transit zone (300), at least one robotic work tool (100) configured to travel along the travel path (310) and at least one controller (110,210) for controlling operation of the robotic work tool (100). The controller (110,210) is configured to receive, from the memory (120,220), information about the transit zone (300) and generate, based on the transit zone (300), the travel path (310) for the robotic work tool (100) from the start point (320) to the goal point (330). The generated travel path (310) is configured to differ from previously generated travel paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2020Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Tommy Glimberg, Stefan Grufman, Fredrik Kallström, Mattias Kamfors, Marcus Liljedahl, Björn Mannefred, Beppe Hesssin
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Publication number: 20210289695Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled robotic tool (1) and a method in a self-propelled robotic tool (1), being used to detecting lifting of the self-propelled robotic device from the ground. The method includes collecting (21) driving data (31) related to the driving of a wheel (5), collecting (23) measured inertia data from an inertial measurement unit (13), .IMU, in the self-propelled robotic tool, determining (25), using an estimation function (33), a residual parameter corresponding to a differential between said measured inertia data and estimated inertia data resulting from said driving data being input to said estimation function, and determining a lifting condition based on the residual parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Jonas är-Ola Rangsjö, Fredrik Kallström
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Patent number: 11126193Abstract: A method for robotic discovery and use of beacons for navigation may include performing a beacon position determination process with respect to at least one beacon usable for range determination by a robotic vehicle responsive to initiation of operation of the robotic vehicle. The method may further include determining a position of the at least one beacon based on the position determination process, and employing the position of the at least one beacon as determined for position information determination of the robotic vehicle during continued operation of the robotic vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Husqvarna ABInventors: Björn Mannefred, Stefan Grufman, Johan Deimert
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Patent number: 11112532Abstract: A robotic vehicle may be configured to incorporate multiple sensors to make the robotic vehicle capable of collecting, feeding, and uploading weather data into an aggregation agent to form a geospatial map or weather service. In this regard, in some cases, the robotic vehicle may include an onboard vehicle positioning module and sensor network to give the robotic vehicle a collective understanding of its environment, and enable it to autonomously collect and upload weather data to an aggregation agent for corresponding locations.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Patrik Jägenstedt, Tom Soberg, Magnus Öhrlund, Andreas Källming, Fredrik Kallström, Jonas Holgersson, Mattias Kamfors, Stefan Grufman
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Publication number: 20210200228Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) for defining a working area (205) in which a robotic work tool (100) is subsequently intended to operate. The robotic work tool system (200) comprises a robotic work tool (100), at least one controller (210) and at least one memory (220). The robotic work tool (100) comprises at least one sensor unit (170) configured to collect sensed input datawhile the robotic work tool (100) is driven around the working area (205) to preliminarily define a perimeter around the working area (205). The at least one controller (210) is configured to establish a preliminary working area perimeter (250). The at least one memory (220) is configured to store a perimeter adjustment function and instructions that cause the at least one controller (210) to adjust the perimeter of the working area (205) by applying the stored perimeter adjustment function to the established preliminary working area perimeter (250)and thereby produce an adjusted working area perimeter (260).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Fredrik Kallström, Patrik Jägenstedt, Jonas Agerhall, Kent Askenmalm, Göran Calás
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Publication number: 20210092912Abstract: Some example embodiments may provide a capability for intelligent control or management of a number of assets in connection with yard maintenance with the assistance or inclusion of a management unit having distributed properties. Thus, for example, sensor equipment and task performance equipment operation may be coordinated between local management and remote management entities for efficient monitoring and maintaining of lawn wellness.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Tomas Wykman, Fredrik Edholm, Eric Lennings, Pär Christensson, Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Olle Markusson
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Patent number: 10869432Abstract: Some example embodiments may provide a capability for intelligent control or management of a number of assets in connection with yard maintenance with the assistance or inclusion of a management unit having distributed properties. Thus, for example, sensor equipment and task performance equipment operation may be coordinated between local management and remote management entities for efficient monitoring and maintaining of lawn wellness.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Tomas Wykman, Fredrik Edholm, Eric Lennings, Pär Christensson, Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Olle Markusson
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Patent number: 10852738Abstract: A method of navigating a self-propelled robotic tool comprises transmitting a wireless signal (66) along a first signal path between the robotic tool (14) and a first wireless interface of a base station (16) remote from the robotic tool (14); transmitting a wireless signal (66) along a second signal path between the robotic tool (14) and a second wireless interface of the base station (16), said second wireless interface being spatially separated from the first wireless interface by a separation distance; upon receipt, comparing the signal transmitted along the first signal path with the signal transmitted along the second signal path to obtain a propagation time difference between the signal transmitted along the first signal path and the signal transmitted along the second signal path, said propagation time difference defining a path length difference between said first and second signal paths; and calculating, based on the separation distance and the path length difference, a value representative of a beaType: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Björn Mannefred, Stefan Grufman
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Patent number: 10806075Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include one or more functional components configured to execute a lawn care function, a sensor network comprising one or more sensors configured to detect conditions proximate to the robotic vehicle, an object detection module configured to 5 detect objects proximate to the robotic vehicle using contact-less detection, a positioning module configured to determine robotic vehicle position, and a mapping module configured to generate map data regarding a parcel on which the robotic vehicle operates.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Johan Deimert
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Patent number: 10777000Abstract: A robotic vehicle may be configured to incorporate multiple sensors to make the robotic vehicle capable of collecting and uploading image data over time into the cloud to generate interactive garden models. In this regard, in some cases, the robotic vehicle may include an onboard vehicle positioning module and sensor network that may work together to give the robotic vehicle a collective understanding of its environment, and enable it to autonomously collect and upload image data for corresponding locations.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred
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Publication number: 20200281114Abstract: A robotic work tool system comprising at least one input device, a robotic work tool and at least one controller. The at least one input device is configured to receive trajectory data representing a desired travel route. The trajectory data includes at least one of a distance value, a direction value and a velocity value. The robotic work tool comprises at least one motor configured to drive at least one wheel of the robotic work tool. The at least one controller is configured to receive the trajectory data and to determine a control sequence for the at least one motor. The control sequence is a sequence of different power and/or velocities which the at least one wheel is to be driven with. The at least one controller is further configured to control the at least one motor according to the determined control sequence. The at least one controller is further configured to receive and process travel data relating to the driven travel route.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Patrik Jägenstedt, Mikael Alexiusson, Stefan Grufman, Fredrik Kallström, Mattias Kamfors
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Patent number: 10643377Abstract: A method for mapping and planning a parcel or garden may include receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel. The method may further include generating a base-map of the parcel based on the information received and providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the base-map. The method may further include enabling an operator to generate a modified-map.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Husqvarna ABInventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Mikael Willgert, Anders Mattsson, Peter Reigo
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Patent number: 10606279Abstract: A robotic work tool (100) comprising an altitude sensor (185) for providing a current altitude reading (HRL) and a controller (110) configured to receive the current altitude reading (HRL) from the altitude sensor (185); determine an altitude (H) based on the current altitude reading (HRL); determine a current position; and generating a map indicating elevations by including the determined altitude (H) for the current position in the map. A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a robotic work tool (100) and a reference altitude sensor (285) for providing a reference altitude reading (HCS), wherein the robotic work tool (100) is further configured to receive the reference altitude reading (HCS) from the reference altitude sensor (285); and determine the altitude (H) based on the current altitude reading (HRL) and the reference altitude reading (HCS).Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Magnus Öhrlund
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Patent number: 10448565Abstract: A method for creating a visualization of a parcel or garden may include receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel. The method may further include generating a model of the parcel based on the information received, providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the model, and enabling an operator to interact with the graphical representation to view one or more content items associated with respective ones of the one or more locations.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Björn Mannefred, Stefan Grufman, Mikael Willgert
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Patent number: 10444760Abstract: A method for employing learnable boundary positions for bounding operation of a robotic vehicle may include detecting temporary indicia of a boundary on a parcel via at least one sensor of a robotic vehicle, generating coordinate or location based boundary information 5 based on the temporary indicia, and operating the robotic vehicle within the boundary based on the generated coordinate or location based boundary information.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Stefan Grufman, Magnus Öhrlund, Mikael Willgert, Anders Mattsson
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Patent number: 10425488Abstract: A system may include sensor equipment, a local yard maintenance manager and a remote yard maintenance manager. The sensor equipment includes one or more sensors disposed on a parcel of land. The local yard maintenance manager may be disposed proximate to the parcel and configured to interface with the sensor equipment to monitor growing conditions on the parcel. The remote yard maintenance manager may be disposed remotely with respect to the parcel and configured to interface with the sensor equipment.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Martin Larsén, Mikael Willgert, Anders Mattsson, Stefan Grufman, Åke Cederborn, Mikael Alexiusson, Lars Dernebo
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Patent number: 10338602Abstract: A method for recording data from at least one sensor of a robotic vehicle responsive to the robotic vehicle transiting a portion of a parcel and determining a confidence score associated with the recorded data for each of a plurality of potential detection events. The confidence score may correspond to a probability that the recorded data corresponds to an object or feature. The method may further include generating map data comprising one or more objects or features correlated to potential detection events based at least in part on the confidence score of the respective objects or features.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Hans Forsberg