Neato Robotics, Inc.

Lellan, Inc.

Richard Wimmer

Joe Tate

Pawel Orzechowski

Dean Ekkaia

Frank Halasz

Kiran Mohan

In one embodiment, a system and method is provided for optimizing the total time taken for cleaning an area by a cleaning robot, which is the sum of the cleaning time and the time taken for the robot to re-charge its battery mid-cleaning when the area is too large to clean on a single charge. In one embodiment, the remaining area to be cleaned is determined, and the mid-cleaning re-charge time is reduced to the amount of charge needed to clean the remaining area, plus a buffer. Hence, a reduction in mid-cleaning charging time results in reduced total time taken to clean a given space.

Performance-based cleaning robot charging method and apparatus

A device and method of providing a versatile illuminated panel for walls, product displays, and other surfaces is described. Panels are constructed from a variable number of rectangular illuminated tiles, where the tiles mate edge-to-edge so as to create a nearly seamless visual panel effect. Illumination within each tile is uniform to also create a nearly seamless visual panel effect. End-users may create panels of varying sizes and shapes by using different quantities of a standard tile. The software within the invention automatically determines the number and arrangement of tiles within each assembled panel. Each tile comprises a plurality of illuminators, an optical means to distribute light from the illuminators uniformly across the tile, and at least one communication interface. In one embodiment the tiles are linked into a communications tree-structure; and the location of each tile within the tree constitutes its logical address.

Seamless illuminated panel

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Richard Wimmer