James Lowell Frankel

US Patent:

6526375, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Apr 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/298235

Inventors:

James L. Frankel - Lexington MA
David B. Anderson - Belmont MA
Joseph W. Marks - Belmont MA
Edmund M. Sullivan - Miami FL

Assignee:

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, INC - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G06F 944

US Classification:

703 21, 712 11, 712 12

Abstract:

In a self-configuring store-and-forward computer network, a plurality of processors are each housed in an enclosure having a top surface and a bottom surface. Each processor has an associated block identification number. An array of m by n radially symmetric connectors are arranged on the top surface and on the bottom surface of each enclosure. Each connector has an associated connector identification number. The connectors physically and electronically couple the plurality of processors as a three-dimensional structure. Communications controller in each of the processors exchange the block and connector identification numbers between the processors and a host computer to determine an ordered list of connector numbers that is used to route messages between any of the processors and the host computer.

US Patent:

6741245, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Apr 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/298739

Inventors:

Joseph W. Marks - Belmont MA
David B. Anderson - Belmont MA
James L. Frankel - Lexington MA

Assignee:

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G06T 1700

US Classification:

345420, 345581, 703 1, 703 6

Abstract:

A method for decorating a virtual world model first builds a physical model from a plurality of building blocks. Each building block includes a microcontroller coupled to a plurality of connectors. The connectros are for physically and electronically connecting the blocks in a three-dimensional structure to form the model. An arrangement of the blocks in the model is derived by connecting the model to a host computer. The arrangement is expressed as a set of logical axioms. The set of logical axioms is processed by a logic program to identify large scale structural elements of the model, and decorative attributes are assigned to the large. scale structural elements.

US Patent:

7706917, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Jul 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/176048

Inventors:

Mark Joseph Chiappetta - Chelmsford MA, US
James Paul Frankel - Arlington MA, US

Assignee:

iRobot Corporation - Bedford MA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700245, 701200, 701207, 701221, 701300, 701301, 700247, 700258

Abstract:

A navigational control system for an autonomous robot includes a transmitter subsystem having a stationary emitter for emitting at least one signal. An autonomous robot operating within a working area utilizes a receiving subsystem to detect the emitted signal. The receiver subsystem has a receiver for detecting the emitted signal emitted by the emitter and a processor for determining a relative location of the robot within the working area upon the receiver detecting the signal.

US Patent:

8594840, Nov 26, 2013

Filed:

Mar 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/415554

Inventors:

Mark J. Chiappetta - Chelmsford MA, US
James Paul Frankel - Arlington MA, US

Assignee:

iRobot Corporation - Bedford MA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700245, 701 1, 701400, 701408

Abstract:

An autonomous robot system including a transmitter disposed within a working area and a mobile robot operating within the working area. The transmitter includes an emitter for emitting at least one signal onto a remote surface above the working area. The mobile robot includes a robot body, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot over a surface within the working area, and a navigation system in communication with the drive system. The navigation system includes a receiver responsive to the emitted signal as reflected off of the remote surface and a processor connected to the receiver and configured to determine a relative location of the robot within the working area in response to the receiver responding to the reflected signal.

US Patent:

8634956, Jan 21, 2014

Filed:

Mar 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/415512

Inventors:

Mark J. Chiappetta - Chelmsford MA, US
James Paul Frankel - Arlington MA, US

Assignee:

iRobot Corporation - Bedford MA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700245, 700246, 700253, 700258, 700259, 701 1, 701 23, 701 26, 701 28

Abstract:

An autonomous robot system including a transmitter disposed within a working area and a mobile robot operating within the working area. The transmitter includes an emitter for emitting at least one signal onto a remote surface above the working area. The mobile robot includes a robot body, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot over a surface within the working area, and a navigation system in communication with the drive system. The navigation system includes a receiver responsive to the emitted signal as reflected off of the remote surface and a processor connected to the receiver and configured to determine a relative location of the robot within the working area based on input from the receiver.

US Patent:

8634958, Jan 21, 2014

Filed:

Sep 26, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/245694

Inventors:

Mark J. Chiappetta - Chelmsford MA, US
James Paul Frankel - Arlington MA, US

Assignee:

iRobot Corporation - Bedford MA

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700245, 701400, 701408, 701472, 701513

Abstract:

An autonomous robot system including a transmitter disposed within a working area and a mobile robot operating within the working area. The transmitter includes an emitter for emitting at least one signal onto a remote surface above the working area. The mobile robot includes a robot body, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot over a surface within the working area, and a navigation system in communication with the drive system. The navigation system includes a receiver responsive to the emitted signal as reflected off of the remote surface and a processor connected to the receiver and configured to determine a relative location of the robot within the working area based on input from the receiver.

US Patent:

20010032192, Oct 18, 2001

Filed:

Dec 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/735064

Inventors:

Sudhakar Durairaj - Watertown MA, US
Sridhar Ramachandran - Watertown MA, US
James Frankel - Lexington MA, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60
H04K001/00
H04L009/00

US Classification:

705/076000, 705/039000, 705/065000, 705/067000, 705/078000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for issuing secondary programmable account numbers (SPANs) to a customer or customer-designated party, each of which SPANs is associated with a customer primary account or other financial instrument, and each of which SPANs has selected usage parameters assigned thereto. SPANs may be issued as a book, with usage parameters assigned to the book in addition to or instead of individual SPANs. When a SPAN is presented to a merchant for payment, the SPAN, including compliance with usage parameters, is verified and appropriate action taken based on either verification or failure of verification.

US Patent:

20070041352, Feb 22, 2007

Filed:

Aug 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/206442

Inventors:

James Frankel - Lexington MA, US
James Curran - Holbrook MA, US

International Classification:

H04Q 7/24

US Classification:

370338000, 370401000

Abstract:

A system calls elevator cars using a wireless network of nodes. A mobile node at an unknown location broadcasts a request packet. The request packet includes an identification of the mobile node and an elevator call command. One or more fixed nodes at known locations measure a signal strength of the received request packet and determine a known location of the mobile node based on the signal strength and the known locations of the fixed nodes, and call an elevator car according to the known location of the mobile node and the elevator call command.