Project Overview

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Possible Infringement:<8020657> • Filed October 20, 2006 by iRobot Corporation • Systems and methods for obstacle avoidance • Teleoperation (Manual) • Waypoint navigation • Follow • Obstacle Detection

9. 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 motors Similarities: • Method of navigation and use of teleoperation via bluetooth • Follow and Manual modes

10. 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

11. Questions?