Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Herr
Stephen D. Herr 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: 11253124Abstract: A cleaning unit for cleaning floors comprising a drivetrain, a main controller, a safety module, and one or more cleaning aggregates for cleaning a floor upon which the cleaning unit moves. The main controller may operate the cleaning unit in one of an autonomous mode in which cleaning unit autonomously navigates while cleaning the floor or a manual mode in which the cleaning unit is maneuverable under an applied external force while cleaning the floor. The safety module may be responsive to a plurality of safety inputs such that if a safety input indicates an unsafe condition, the safety module initiates a lockout to stop movement by the cleaning unit. In the autonomous mode, the safety module may be responsive to a first set of safety inputs and in the manual operating mode, the safety module may be responsive to a second set of safety inputs.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventors: David M. Knuth, Stephen D. Herr, Stephen J. Balas, Angelo Sabatino, Marcel Graf, Andre Baertsch, Sepp Stary
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Publication number: 20210137339Abstract: A cleaning unit for cleaning floors comprising a drivetrain, a main controller, a safety module, and one or more cleaning aggregates for cleaning a floor upon which the cleaning unit moves. The main controller may operate the cleaning unit in one of an autonomous mode in which cleaning unit autonomously navigates while cleaning the floor or a manual mode in which the cleaning unit is maneuverable under an applied external force while cleaning the floor. The safety module may be responsive to a plurality of safety inputs such that if a safety input indicates an unsafe condition, the safety module initiates a lockout to stop movement by the cleaning unit. In the autonomous mode, the safety module may be responsive to a first set of safety inputs and in the manual operating mode, the safety module may be responsive to a second set of safety inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2018Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: David M. Knuth, Stephen D. Herr, Stephen J. Balas, Angelo Sabatino, Marcel Graf, Andre Baertsch, Sepp Stary
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Publication number: 20210132609Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is configured to move across a floor surface in an environment. The autonomous vehicle includes a proximity sensor that is positionable at different heights on the autonomous vehicle. A location of the autonomous vehicle within the environment is determined. A proximity sensor height is determined based on the location of the autonomous vehicle within the environment. The proximity sensor is positioned at a height on the autonomous vehicle based on the proximity sensor height. A signal is received from the proximity sensor where the signal is indicative of a distance to an object within the environment at the height of the proximity sensor on the autonomous vehicle. An operation of the autonomous vehicle can be controlled based on the signal indicative of the distance to the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2018Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Stephen D. Herr, Stephen J. Balas, David M. Knuth, Aurle Y. Gagne, Philip Hennessy, Samuel E. Elzarian, Kevin L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180325342Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The device delivers the cleaning solution from a pump discharge of the cleaning device to a flow meter. The device initiates a priming mode by opening a first valve associated with a bypass line of the device, closing a second valve associated with a cleaning head of the cleaning device, and delivering the cleaning solution from a discharge of the flow meter to the inlet of the solution tank through the bypass line. When the device is primed, it initiates cleaning by closing the first valve associated with the bypass line, opening the second valve associated with the cleaning head, and delivering the cleaning solution to the cleaning head.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, JR., Victor C. Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
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Patent number: 10034590Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The device delivers the cleaning solution from a pump discharge of the cleaning device to a flow meter. The device initiates a priming mode by opening a first valve associated with a bypass line of the device, closing a second valve associated with a cleaning head of the cleaning device, and delivering the cleaning solution from a discharge of the flow meter to the inlet of the solution tank through the bypass line. When the device is primed, it initiates cleaning by closing the first valve associated with the bypass line, opening the second valve associated with the cleaning head, and delivering the cleaning solution to the cleaning head.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, Jr., Victor Chi-Chih Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180140153Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The device delivers the cleaning solution from a pump discharge of the cleaning device to a flow meter. The device initiates a priming mode by opening a first valve associated with a bypass line of the device, closing a second valve associated with a cleaning head of the cleaning device, and delivering the cleaning solution from a discharge of the flow meter to the inlet of the solution tank through the bypass line. When the device is primed, it initiates cleaning by closing the first valve associated with the bypass line, opening the second valve associated with the cleaning head, and delivering the cleaning solution to the cleaning head.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, JR., Victor Chi-Chih Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
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Patent number: 9895041Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The device delivers the cleaning solution from a pump discharge of the cleaning device to a flow meter. The device initiates a priming mode by opening a first valve associated with a bypass line of the device, closing a second valve associated with a cleaning head of the cleaning device, and delivering the cleaning solution from a discharge of the flow meter to the inlet of the solution tank through the bypass line. When the device is primed, it initiates cleaning by closing the first valve associated with the bypass line, opening the second valve associated with the cleaning head, and delivering the cleaning solution to the cleaning head.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, Jr., Victor Chi-Chih Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
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Patent number: 9609991Abstract: A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventors: Henry L. Hillman, Jr., David M. Knuth, Jr., Daniel M. Daly, Vinton Coffman, Ralph McCann, Stephen D. Herr, Kevin L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20160360940Abstract: A method of causing a mobile robotic device, such as an automated cleaning device, to navigate an area includes using a video camera to collect visual information associated with an area in which a mobile robotic device is located. A system receives information from the video camera, wherein the information comprises a value associated with a detected color in the area. The system compares the value associated with the detected color to a value of a requested color, and the system determines whether the value associated with the detected color is within a tolerance range of the value of the requested color. If the value associated with the detected color is within a tolerance range of the value of the requested color, the system accepts the color. The system uses the received information to adjust a position of the mobile robotic device in the area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Henry L. Hillman, JR., David M. Knuth, JR., Daniel M. Daly, Vinton Coffman, Ralph McCann, Stephen D. Herr, Kevin L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20150238060Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The device delivers the cleaning solution from a pump discharge of the cleaning device to a flow meter. The device initiates a priming mode by opening a first valve associated with a bypass line of the device, closing a second valve associated with a cleaning head of the cleaning device, and delivering the cleaning solution from a discharge of the flow meter to the inlet of the solution tank through the bypass line. When the device is primed, it initiates cleaning by closing the first valve associated with the bypass line, opening the second valve associated with the cleaning head, and delivering the cleaning solution to the cleaning head.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, JR., Victor Chi-Chih Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
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Patent number: 9028617Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The solution tank may include an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning device may include at least one discharge line filter in fluid communication with the solution tank and a pump having a pump intake and a pump discharge. The pump may be configured to direct cleaning solution from the solution tank outlet through the at least one discharge line filter. The cleaning device may include a cleaning head in fluid communication with the pump discharge and a bypass line in fluid communication with the pump discharge and the inlet. The bypass line may be configured to divert cleaning solution received from the pump discharge away from the cleaning head and toward the solution tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, Jr., Victor Chi-Chih Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20140190518Abstract: A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Intellibot Robotics, LLCInventors: Henry L. Hillman, JR., David M. Knuth, JR., Daniel M. Daly, Vinton Coffman, Ralph McCann, Stephen D. Herr, Kevin L. Thomas
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Patent number: 8679260Abstract: A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Intellibot Robotics LLCInventors: Henry L. Hillman, Jr., David M. Knuth, Jr., Daniel M. Daly, Vinton Coffman, Ralph McCann, Stephen D. Herr, Kevin L. Thomas
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Patent number: 8423225Abstract: A method of navigating an area using a mobile robotic device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by a mobile robotic device, a position of the mobile robotic device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the mobile robotic device from the determined position along a path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and may be located a distance from a reference point on the mobile robotic device during movement of the mobile robotic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Intellibot Robotics LLCInventors: Henry L. Hillman, Jr., David M. Knuth, Jr., Daniel M. Daly, Vinton Coffman, Ralph McCann, Stephen D. Herr, Kevin L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20120260948Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The solution tank may include an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning device may include at least one discharge line filter in fluid communication with the solution tank and a pump having a pump intake and a pump discharge. The pump may be configured to direct cleaning solution from the solution tank outlet through the at least one discharge line filter. The cleaning device may include a cleaning head in fluid communication with the pump discharge and a bypass line in fluid communication with the pump discharge and the inlet. The bypass line may be configured to divert cleaning solution received from the pump discharge away from the cleaning head and toward the solution tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: INTELLIBOT ROBOTICS LLCInventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, JR., Victor Chi-Chih Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20110112714Abstract: A method of navigating an area using a mobile robotic device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by a mobile robotic device, a position of the mobile robotic device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the mobile robotic device from the determined position along a path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and may be located a distance from a reference point on the mobile robotic device during movement of the mobile robotic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: INTELLIBOT ROBOTICS, LLCInventors: Henry L. Hillman, JR., David M. Knuth, JR., Daniel M. Daly, Vinton Coffman, Ralph McCann, Stephen D. Herr, Kevin L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20110108064Abstract: A method of cleaning an area using an automatic cleaning device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by an automatic cleaning device, a position of the automatic cleaning device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the automatic cleaning device from the determined position along a path so that the automatic cleaning device cleans the surface along the path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and the edge may be located a distance from a reference point on the automatic cleaning device during movement of the automatic cleaning device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: INTELLIBOT ROBOTICS, LLCInventors: Henry L. Hillman, JR., David M. Knuth, JR., Daniel M. Daly, Vinton Coffman, Ralph McCann, Stephen D. Herr, Kevin L. Thomas