Jason E Kraft

US Patent:

20220272893, Sep 1, 2022

Filed:

May 17, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/746080

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Jason T. Kraft - Stillwater MN, US

International Classification:

A01D 34/00
A01D 34/64
A01D 34/76
A01D 34/81
G05D 1/00
G05D 1/02

Abstract:

Operating an autonomous grounds maintenance machine includes determining a travel path for the machine to reach a destination waypoint in a zone of a work region. The travel path is analyzed for problem areas based on a predetermined terrain map. Rotations of the machine may be planned even before the machine begins to travel down the path to proactively prevent the machine from becoming trapped.

US Patent:

20220253063, Aug 11, 2022

Filed:

Apr 28, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/732255

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Jason Thomas Kraft - Stillwater MN, US
Ryan Douglas Ingvalson - Sewickley PA, US
David Arthur LaRose - Pittsburgh PA, US
Zachary Irvin Parker - Pittsburgh PA, US
Adam Richard Williams - Mountain View CA, US
Stephen Paul Elizondo Landers - Pittsburgh PA, US
Michael Jason Ramsay - Verona PA, US
Brian Daniel Beyer - Pittsburgh PA, US

International Classification:

G05D 1/02
G01C 21/32
G05D 1/00
A01D 34/00
A01D 34/82

Abstract:

Autonomous machine navigation techniques may generate a three-dimensional point cloud that represents at least a work region based on feature data and matching data. Pose data associated with points of the three-dimensional point cloud may be generated that represents poses of an autonomous machine. A boundary may be determined using the pose data for subsequent navigation of the autonomous machine in the work region. Non-vision-based sensor data may be used to determine a pose. The pose may be updated based on the vision-based pose data. The autonomous machine may be navigated within the boundary of the work region based on the updated pose. The three-dimensional point cloud may be generated based on data captured during a touring phase. Boundaries may be generated based on data captured during a mapping phase.

US Patent:

20210251139, Aug 19, 2021

Filed:

Aug 7, 2019

Appl. No.:

17/261406

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Jason Thomas Kraft - Stillwater MN, US
Aaron Yarrow Curtis - Eagan MN, US
Kevin Dale Docken - Victoria MN, US
Khari Sekou Clarke - Minneapolis MN, US

International Classification:

A01D 34/82
G05D 1/00
A01D 34/00

Abstract:

A handle assembly for an autonomous vehicle such as a lawn mower is provided and may include a cradle adapted to receive a mobile computer. The mobile computer may communicate with a controller carried by the mower. The handle assembly may be configured in both an autonomous mode position and a manual mode position. The vehicle may operate autonomously when the handle assembly is in the autonomous mode position, and be adapted to move under manual operator control, e.g., for perimeter training, when the handle assembly is in the manual mode position. Methods for training the mower and apparatus for storing the mower are also provided.

US Patent:

20210161066, Jun 3, 2021

Filed:

Jan 21, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/154505

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Jason Thomas Kraft - Stillwater MN, US
Alexander Steven Frick - Farmington MN, US

International Classification:

A01D 34/00
G05D 1/02

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, and methods for directing an autonomous robotic vehicle such as a lawn mower relative to a work region. In some embodiments, the vehicle travels in a random pattern within a travelling containment zone of a lesser size than the work region. The travelling containment zone may move or travel across the work region such that, over time, the travelling containment zone travels over most all of a working surface of the work region.

US Patent:

20200267896, Aug 27, 2020

Filed:

Nov 7, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/636079

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Jason Thomas KRAFT - Stillwater MN, US
Alexander Steven FRICK - Farmington MN, US

International Classification:

A01D 34/00
G05D 1/02

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, and methods for directing an autonomous robotic vehicle such as a lawn mower relative to a work region. In some embodiments, the vehicle travels in a random pattern within a travelling containment zone of a lesser size than the work region. The travelling containment zone may move or travel across the work region such that, over time, the travelling containment zone travels over most all of a working surface of the work region.

US Patent:

20200050208, Feb 13, 2020

Filed:

Aug 7, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/534515

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Jason Thomas Kraft - Stillwater MN, US
Ryan Douglas Ingvalson - Loretto MN, US
David Arthur LaRose - Pittsburgh PA, US
Zachary Irvin Parker - Pittsburgh PA, US
Adam Richard Williams - Mountain View CA, US
Stephen Paul Elizondo Landers - Pittsburgh PA, US
Michael Jason Ramsay - Verona PA, US
Brian Daniel Beyer - Pittsburgh PA, US

International Classification:

G05D 1/02
G05D 1/00
G01C 21/32

Abstract:

Autonomous machine navigation techniques may generate a three-dimensional point cloud that represents at least a work region based on feature data and matching data. Pose data associated with points of the three-dimensional point cloud may be generated that represents poses of an autonomous machine. A boundary may be determined using the pose data for subsequent navigation of the autonomous machine in the work region. Non-vision-based sensor data may be used to determine a pose. The pose may be updated based on the vision-based pose data. The autonomous machine may be navigated within the boundary of the work region based on the updated pose. The three-dimensional point cloud may be generated based on data captured during a touring phase. Boundaries may be generated based on data captured during a mapping phase.

US Patent:

20190357430, Nov 28, 2019

Filed:

May 24, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/422153

Inventors:

- Bloomington MN, US
Jason T. Kraft - Stillwater MN, US

International Classification:

A01D 34/00
G05D 1/00
G05D 1/02
A01D 34/64
A01D 34/81
A01D 34/76

Abstract:

Operating an autonomous grounds maintenance machine includes determining a travel path for the machine to reach a destination waypoint in a zone of a work region. The travel path is analyzed for problem areas based on a predetermined terrain map. Rotations of the machine may be planned even before the machine begins to travel down the path to proactively prevent the machine from becoming trapped.

US Patent:

20180128607, May 10, 2018

Filed:

Nov 9, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/808311

Inventors:

- Cleveland OH, US
Michael Berne Rannow - Eden Prairie MN, US
Jason Kraft - Stillwater MN, US
Shelley Allison Nation - Bloomington MN, US

International Classification:

G01B 13/20
G01F 1/36

Abstract:

Systems and methods for estimating the area ratio of an actuator in static and dynamic states are disclosed. In one aspect, a metering valve is connected to each side of the actuator. In one example, one metering valve is held closed while the other metering valve incrementally pressurizes the actuator in discrete steps. The resulting work port pressures can be used to determine the actuator area ratio. Where counterbalance valves are installed in the system, the pressurizing metering valve can be placed in a pressure control mode to obtain the desired pressure values. In one example, the ratio of flows through each metering valve is used to determine the actuator ratio.