Project Overview

• Autonomous robot with multiple modes of operation– Follow, run away, manual control

• Infrared sensors to detect warm bodies• Ultrasonic sensors to avoid obstacles• Bluetooth transmission of infrared-array and

movement data• Battery-powered with fuel gauge

Patent Liability Analysis

• Major Functions Considered:– IR Sensor array allows the robot to autonomously

follow/run away from targets identified as warm bodies

– Movement control and IR data stream transmitted via bluetooth

– Avoidance of obstacles by use of several ultrasonic sensors

• Search for patents with similar functionality to the Infrarat

Possible Infringement:<6829370>

• Filed November 28, 2000 by Honeywell International Inc.

• The presence of a human body in the scene is determined by comparing the reflection of at least one region of the scene using an infrared sensor array

Possible Infringement:<6829370>

Claims:• A detection method that detects reflection from a scene in

Infrared and determines the presence of a human body• Detecting infrared reflection from at least one region of the

scene comprising of a face region of the human body• A human body detection system comprising of an infrared

camera which provides an image representing the region where the presence of a human body has been detected

Similarities:– Uses infrared cameras to detect a facial region of the human body – Makes use of a threshold for determining the presence of a human

body

Possible Infringement:<6137407>

• Filed November 16, 1999 by Nikon Corporation of Tokyo• Humanoid detector and method that senses infrared

radiation and subject size– If the size of a moving body is greater than that of a small

animal, the detected infrared radiation indicates that the moving body is a heat producing body

Possible Infringement:<6137407>

Claims:• A human body detection method, comprising the steps:

– detecting infrared radiation in the surveillance area– determining a size of the moving subject– providing a decision signal that is indicative of a human body in the

surveillance area when the size of the moving subject exceeds a predetermined size and the detected infrared radiation exceeds a predetermined value simultaneously

• Method of humanoid detection based on the size of the moving object in infrared radiation is patented

Similarities:– Method of detection using number of pixels upon which a humanoid body

would be imaged by a lens that focuses incident light on an array of photodiodes in a sensor element

Possible Infringement:<8020657>

• Filed October 20, 2006 by iRobot Corporation

• Systems and methods for obstacle avoidance– Teleoperation (Manual)– Waypoint navigation– Follow– Obstacle Detection

Possible Infringement:<8020657>

Claims:• A robotic control unit comprising of:

– A sensor for detecting object data representing obstacles– Determine vehicle actions based on incoming sensor data

• The control unit comprises of a processor and memory that has executable code

• Control unit outputs control signals to vehicle motorsSimilarities:• Method of navigation and use of teleoperation via

bluetooth• Follow and Manual modes

Possible Actions

• Remove functionality– Unfeasible since the Infrarat relies on the use of all its

sensors to navigate its surroundings• Change implementation technique– By using different methods of detection, the device

would no longer fall under Literal infringement and instead be under the Doctrine of Equivalents

• Obtain licenses or pay royalties to owners of patents– If the device were to go to market, this would be a viable

option

Questions?