Vinton P Coffman

US Patent:

8423225, Apr 16, 2013

Filed:

Nov 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/616452

Inventors:

Daniel M. Daly - Brownsburgh IN, US
Vinton Coffman - Pittsburgh PA, US
Ralph McCann - Richmond VA, US
Stephen D. Herr - Richmond VA, US
Kevin L. Thomas - Richmond VA, US

Assignee:

Intellibot Robotics LLC - Portland OR

International Classification:

G01C 22/00

US Classification:

701 26, 700259

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20020013641, Jan 31, 2002

Filed:

Jul 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/915161

Inventors:

Illah Nourbakhsh - Pittsburgh PA, US
Clayton Kunz - San Francisco CA, US
Carolyn Green - Cranberry Twp PA, US
Thomas Willeke - Orinda CA, US
Vinton Coffman - Moatsville WV, US

International Classification:

G06F019/00

US Classification:

700/245000

Abstract:

A robot that is capable of substantially autonomous movement includes a processing device, a memory, and a mobility structure controlled by the processing device. The processor directs the robot to move with any predetermined safe area having a boundary and a reference point. Optionally, the robot also exhibits features of social interactivity by accepting an input from a human, selecting dynamic content from a data base wherein the dynamic content is responsive to the input, and presenting the human with a response corresponding to the dynamic content selection.

US Patent:

20030109960, Jun 12, 2003

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/347811

Inventors:

Illah Nourbakhsh - Pittsburgh PA, US
Clayton Kunz - San Francisco CA, US
Carolyn O'Brien Green - Cranberry Township PA, US
Thomas Willeke - Orinda CA, US
Vinton Coffman - Moatsville WV, US

International Classification:

G06F019/00

US Classification:

700/245000, 318/568120

Abstract:

A robot that is capable of substantially autonomous movement includes a processing device, a memory, and a mobility structure controlled by the processing device. The processor directs the robot to move with any predetermined safe area having a boundary and a reference point. Optionally, the robot also exhibits features of social interactivity by accepting an input from a human, selecting dynamic content from a data base wherein the dynamic content is responsive to the input, and presenting the human with a response corresponding to the dynamic content selection.

US Patent:

20110108064, May 12, 2011

Filed:

Nov 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/616577

Inventors:

Daniel M. Daly - Brownsburgh IN, US
Vinton Coffman - Pittsburgh PA, US
Ralph McCann - Richmond VA, US
Stephen D. Herr - Richmond VA, US
Kevin L. Thomas - Richmond VA, US

Assignee:

INTELLIBOT ROBOTICS, LLC - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B08B 7/04

US Classification:

134 18, 15319

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

56891776, Nov 18, 1997

Filed:

Jan 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/584195

Inventors:

Michael H. Nielsen - The Woodlands TX
Alan D. Berger - Pittsburgh PA
Vinton P. Coffman - Pittsburgh PA

Assignee:

The Babcock & Wilcox Company - New Orleans LA

International Classification:

G06F 110

US Classification:

323241

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to an automatic voltage controller for an electrostatic precipitator. The invention maintains a database of operating parameters, such as the firing angle of the silicon controlled rectifiers, during previous breakdowns. The data is used for statistical analysis of the process conditions of the precipitator, enabling the invention to more accurately predict the breakdown level of the system, and providing tolerance of erratic or atypical breakdowns. The invention assembles a "rolling" data set of a predetermined number of previous breakdowns from which the invention continuously extracts a mean value and a standard deviation value, which are used to determine the setback level and the ramp level.

US Patent:

20160360940, Dec 15, 2016

Filed:

Aug 11, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/234836

Inventors:

- PORTLAND OR, US
Daniel M. Daly - Brownsburg IN, US
Vinton Coffman - Pittsburgh PA, US
Ralph McCann - Richmond VA, US
Stephen D. Herr - Richmond VA, US
Kevin L. Thomas - Richmond VA, US

International Classification:

A47L 11/40
G05D 1/02

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20140190518, Jul 10, 2014

Filed:

Feb 10, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/176386

Inventors:

- Portland OR, US
Daniel M. Daly - Brownsburg IN, US
Vinton Coffman - Pittsburgh PA, US
Ralph McCann - Richmond VA, US
Stephen D. Herr - Richmond VA, US
Kevin L. Thomas - Richmond VA, US

Assignee:

Intellibot Robotics, LLC - Portland OR

International Classification:

A47L 11/40

US Classification:

134 18, 15 3

Abstract:

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.