Bryan J Ruffner

6338013, Jan 8, 2002

Jul 12, 1999

09/351510

Bryan John Ruffner - Annandale VA, 22003-3854

G06F16500

701 23, 342357, 342457, 318581, 318587, 340988, 180 65, 180 791, 180169, 180167, 250202

The invention is a multifunctional, mobile appliance capable of performing a variety of tasks safely, quietly, without pollution, and out of sight of its owner. Such tasks might include lawn mowing, fertilizing, and edging, floor vacuuming, waxing, and polishing, or rug shampooing. In its preferred implementation, the mobile unit would obtain precise real time and position information using the Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System. The user initially guides the appliance around the work-area perimeters. The device then uses this information to determine the full working area. Proximity detectors and impact sensors help the appliance avoid unexpected obstacles. The device is quiet enough to perform its task in the middle of the night while its owner is asleep, but can be programmed to work continuously or during any user-specified time interval. The small turning radius of the appliance allows it to follow intricate perimeters. In the instance of a mowing application, the cutting blades are surrounded by a cage that allows grass to enter, but excludes sticks, stones, fingers or toes.

6502017, Dec 31, 2002

Nov 20, 2001

09/988641

Bryan John Ruffner - Annandale VA, 22003-3854

G06F 1900

701 23, 701213, 701207, 701209, 342988, 340988, 340995

The invention is a multifunctional, mobile appliance capable of performing a variety of tasks safely, quietly, without pollution, and out of sight of its owner. Such tasks might include lawn mowing, fertilizing, and edging, floor vacuuming, waxing, and polishing, or rug shampooing. In its preferred implementation, the mobile unit would obtain precise real time and position information using the Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System. The user initially guides the appliance around the work-area perimeters. The device then uses this information to determine the full working area. Proximity detectors and impact sensors help the appliance avoid unexpected obstacles. The device is quiet enough to perform its task in the middle of the night while its owner is asleep, but can be programmed to work continuously or during any user-specified time interval. The small turning radius of the appliance allows it to follow intricate perimeters. In the instance of a mowing application, the cutting blades are surrounded by a cage that allows grass to enter, but excludes sticks, stones, fingers or toes.

6600981, Jul 29, 2003

Nov 20, 2001

09/988642

Bryan John Ruffner - Annandale VA, 22003-3854

A01D 5300

701 23, 56 168, 56202, 56 164 A, 56320, 56295

The invention is a multifunctional, mobile appliance capable of performing a variety of tasks safely, quietly, without pollution, and out of sight of its owner. Such tasks might include lawn mowing, fertilizing, and edging, floor vacuuming, waxing, and polishing, or rug shampooing. In its preferred implementation, the mobile unit would obtain precise real time and position information using the Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System. The user initially guides the appliance around the work-area perimeters. The device then uses this information to determine the full working area. Proximity detectors and impact sensors help the appliance avoid unexpected obstacles. The device is quiet enough to perform its task in the middle of the night while its owner is asleep, but can be programmed to work continuously or during any user-specified time interval. The small turning radius of the appliance allows it to follow intricate perimeters. In the instance of a mowing application, the cutting blades are surrounded by a cage that allows grass to enter, but excludes sticks, stones, fingers or toes.

6611738, Aug 26, 2003

Nov 20, 2001

09/988592

Bryan J. Ruffner - Annandale VA, 22003

G06F16500

701 23, 701213, 701209, 34235706, 34235717, 56 102 A, 56 102 F, 318581

A user can place the multifunctional mobile appliance in a work area bounded by a set of impulse radio, or GPS, transceivers. The appliance independently and accurately maps the work area and proceeds to perform one or more tasks over that area, as directed by the user. These tasks include, but are not limited to, mowing, vacuuming, scrubbing, waxing, and polishing. The user may control, through the World Wide Web, what tasks are performed where and when. Both the user and the appliance can make use of services that are provided on the Internet to enhance the performance of the appliance. The appliance is safe, silent, self-sufficient, nimble, and non-polluting. It is equipped with sensors to enable it to avoid obstacles and other less than optimal operating conditions.

6650975, Nov 18, 2003

Nov 20, 2001

09/988637

Bryan John Ruffner - Annandale VA, 22003-3854

G06F16500

701 23, 701 2, 701209, 34235715, 56 102 A, 56 102 F

The invention is a multifunctional, mobile appliance capable of performing a variety of tasks safely, quietly, without pollution, and out of sight of its owner. Such tasks might include lawn mowing, fertilizing, and edging, floor vacuuming, waxing, and polishing, or rug shampooing. In its preferred implementation, the mobile unit would obtain precise real time and position information using the Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System. The user initially guides the appliance around the work-area perimeters. The device then uses this information to determine the full working area. Proximity detectors and impact sensors help the appliance avoid unexpected obstacles. The device is quiet enough to perform its task in the middle of the night while its owner is asleep, but can be programmed to work continuously or during any user-specified time interval. The small turning radius of the appliance allows it to follow intricate perimeters.

46805745, Jul 14, 1987

Mar 22, 1985

6/717128

Bryan J. Ruffner - Arlington VA

G08B 1314

340571

The invention utilizes time domain reflectrometry to obtain a measure of the length of wire connecting an electrical appliance to its power distribution panel. An unauthorized change in this length is interpreted as an attempt to steal the appliance. Coded disabling keys are provided to allow an authorized user to unplug and move the appliance. The invention can be mounted within the appliance, requires no modification of the existing wiring or receptacles and is unaffected by power failures.

51364794, Aug 4, 1992

Jun 19, 1990

7/541828

Bryan J. Ruffner - Annandale VA

E-Systems, Inc. - Dallas TX

G02B 528
F21V 800

362 29

A device and method to convert light from a point source into an areal source of displayed light. The reflective faces of dielectric mirrors enclose a point source of light. The mirrors repeatedly reflect the light from the point source inside the enclosure without significant absorption, thereby achieving a random distribution of position coordinates for the light rays departing the areal transmissive surface on the outside of the enclosure. The device and method may be used for backlighting a display or for other areal lighting systems.