Michael F Kaufman

US Patent:

8146696, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Sep 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/203019

Inventors:

Michael F. Kaufman - New Boston NH, US

Assignee:

Segway, Inc. - Bedford NH

International Classification:

B60W 10/08

US Classification:

180170, 180 65285

Abstract:

A system and method for safely moving a vehicle up or down a sloped surface is provided. In one embodiment, a method involves operating the vehicle in a sloped surface mode when at least one ground contacting element for moving the vehicle is on the sloped surface. An amount of torque is provided to the at least one ground contacting element to prevent the vehicle from uncontrollably moving down the sloped surface while in the sloped surface mode of operation. An assist mechanism can be coupled to the propulsion system to enable an operator to guide the vehicle.

US Patent:

7263453, Aug 28, 2007

Filed:

Jan 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/038777

Inventors:

Michael Thomas Gansler - Candia NH, US
Michael Field Kaufman - New Boston NH, US
Soundararajan Manthiri - Bedford NH, US
David W. Robinson - Manchester NH, US
Jason M. Sachs - Goffstown NH, US

Assignee:

DEKA Products Limited Partnership - Manchester NH

International Classification:

G01D 18/00

US Classification:

702104

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for detecting a sensor angle error in a system in which a measured quantity is determined on the basis of a phase of a signal. A signal derived from the measurement of multiple sensors is ascribed to a vector in a two-dimensional space, and a norm is calculated characterizing that vector. A value is calculated characterizing variation of that norm over a specified period of time and that value is compared with a threshold in order to identify a sensor fault.

US Patent:

20090055033, Feb 26, 2009

Filed:

Aug 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/843689

Inventors:

Michael T. Gansler - Candia NH, US
Michael F. Kaufman - New Boston NH, US

International Classification:

G06F 7/00

US Classification:

701 1

Abstract:

A method for initializing a controller of a balancing transporter involving acquiring a plurality of orientation signals associated with the balancing transporter. The method also involves determining if one or more of a plurality of angular rate sensors has a signal output offset below a threshold based on the plurality of orientation sensor signals. The method also involves initializing a pitch state estimator for controlling operation of the balancing transporter based on output of the one or more of the plurality of angular rate sensors. The method also involves controlling operation of the balancing transporter based on at least one output of the pitch state estimator.

US Patent:

20090105908, Apr 23, 2009

Filed:

Oct 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/254178

Inventors:

Robert Casey - Saugus MA, US
Michael T. Gansler - Candia NH, US
John B. Morrell - Hamden CT, US
Michael F. Kaufman - New Boston NH, US
Jon M. Stevens - Manchester NH, US

Assignee:

Segway Inc. - Bedford NH

International Classification:

B62D 6/00

US Classification:

701 41

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for controlling a steering command of a vehicle is provided. A deadband value based on a current state of a transporter is applied to a roll compensated steering command to control steering of the vehicle. A gain is applied to a steering command to control steering of the vehicle.