US 12,001,203 B2
Self propelled device with magnetic coupling
Ian H. Bernstein, Boulder, CO (US); Adam Wilson, Longmont, CO (US); Chun Kong, Hong Kong (HK); and Ross MacGregor, Erie, CO (US)
Assigned to Sphero, Inc., Boulder, CO (US)
Filed by Sphero, Inc., Boulder, CO (US)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/671,008.
Application 17/671,008 is a continuation of application No. 16/578,822, filed on Sep. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,249,472.
Application 16/578,822 is a continuation of application No. 15/888,354, filed on Feb. 5, 2018, granted, now 10,423,155, issued on Sep. 24, 2019.
Application 15/888,354 is a continuation of application No. 15/232,490, filed on Aug. 9, 2016, granted, now 9,886,032, issued on Feb. 6, 2018.
Application 15/232,490 is a continuation of application No. 14/975,510, filed on Dec. 18, 2015, granted, now 9,457,730, issued on Oct. 4, 2016.
Application 14/975,510 is a continuation of application No. 14/691,349, filed on Apr. 20, 2015, granted, now 9,429,940, issued on Aug. 30, 2016.
Application 14/691,349 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/459,235, filed on Aug. 13, 2014, granted, now 9,090,214, issued on Jul. 28, 2015.
Application 14/459,235 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/035,841, filed on Sep. 24, 2013, granted, now 9,193,404, issued on Nov. 24, 2015.
Application 14/035,841 is a continuation of application No. 13/342,853, filed on Jan. 3, 2012, granted, now 8,571,781, issued on Oct. 29, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/149,441, filed on Apr. 17, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/553,923, filed on Oct. 31, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/430,023, filed on Jan. 5, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/430,083, filed on Jan. 5, 2011.
Prior Publication US 2022/0244723 A1, Aug. 4, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A63H 33/26 (2006.01); A63H 30/04 (2006.01); A63H 33/00 (2006.01); B60R 11/00 (2006.01); B62D 39/00 (2006.01); B62D 61/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC G05D 1/0022 (2013.01) [A63H 30/04 (2013.01); A63H 33/005 (2013.01); A63H 33/26 (2013.01); B60R 11/00 (2013.01); B62D 39/00 (2013.01); B62D 61/00 (2013.01); G05D 1/0016 (2013.01); G05D 1/027 (2013.01); B60R 2011/007 (2013.01); Y10S 901/01 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A self-propelled device comprising:
a housing;
an internal drive system enclosed within the housing and operable to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device;
an internal structure coupled to the internal drive system and comprising a magnet holder, the magnet holder including a first set of interactive elements;
an external accessory comprising a second set of interactive elements to interact, through the housing, with the first set of interactive elements as the self-propelled device accelerates and maneuvers;
a communication interface to receive control inputs; and
one or more processors to process the control inputs and implement commands on the internal drive system, based on the control inputs, to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device.