Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autonomous type cleaning device, capable of controlling an action mode, a moving pattern, or an action to immediately detect collision of debris on a floor surface as a cleaning object, and respond to detected debris to move the device to a more contaminated area.SOLUTION: By means of a piezoelectric debris sensor which responds to the collision of debris, and related signal processors, the autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device detects presence of debris, and responds to select an action mode, an action condition, or moving pattern such as spot coverage. A plurality of sensor channels are usable to enable detection or creation of differential right/left debris signals, so that the autonomous device is moved toward the debris. By positioning the debris sensor to a place where debris swept up by a brush assembly is colliding with each other, collision of the debris can be more properly detected.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autonomous cleaning apparatus capable of controlling an operation mode, a movement pattern or a behavior to respond to detected debris so as to immediately detect collision with debris on a floor surface as a cleaning target and drive the apparatus toward a "dirtier" zone.SOLUTION: An autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning apparatus using a piezoelectric debris sensor and its related signal processor for responding to the collision with debris senses presence of the debris and responds thereto, enabling selection of an operation mode, an operation condition, or a movement pattern such as a spot coverage. This configuration allows a use of plural sensor channels for enabling detection or generation of a differential left/right debris signal, thus enabling an autonomous apparatus to drive toward the debris. Further, positioning the debris sensor at a place where debris swept up by a brush assembly collides enables better detection of the collision with the debris.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autonomous cleaning apparatus capable of controlling an operational mode, moving pattern or action that the unit agilely detects a collision with debris on a floor, or an object to be cleaned, and so responds to the detected debris that the unit operates upon "dirtier" areas.SOLUTION: The autonomous cleaning apparatus includes a drive system for moving the unit, a brush assembly for sweeping up the debris on the floor toward a cleaning route of the unit, a debris sensor for detecting the collision with the debris swept up by the brush assembly to generate a debris signal and a controller in response to the debris signal to control the drive system. The debris sensor inside the cleaning route is placed on a line extending in a direction that the debris are swept up by the brush assembly.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a debris sensor, responding on instantaneously sensing a collision of a debris. SOLUTION: The debris sensor for a cleaning apparatus includes a piezoelectric sensor element located adjacent to a cleaning path of the cleaning apparatus and adapted to generate a first signal indicating a collision with the debris in response to a collision with the debris, and a processor for processing the first signal and generating a second signal indicating the characteristic of the debris which the cleaning apparatus encounters, wherein the processor changes an operation mode of the cleaning apparatus to a spot coverage mode taking a region including debris as an object by controlling the motion of the cleaning apparatus according to a spiral moving pattern having a changing radius of rotation. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an autonomous cleaning device which instantly detects collision of debris to be cleaned on a floor and can control its operation mode in response to the detected debris, moving pattern and actions, so that the device is operated toward a dirtier area. SOLUTION: By a piezoelectric debris sensor responding to the collision of the debris and a related signal processor, an autonomous or nonautonomous cleaning device detects presence of the debris, responds and allows selections of action modes like spot coverage, action conditions and moving patterns. Two or more sensor channels can be used to enable detection or generation of a difference in right/left debris signals and, therefore, the autonomous device can be guided in the direction of the debris. In addition, by locating the debris sensor at a position where the debris swept up by a brush assembly collides, the collision of the debris becomes more properly detected. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.
Abstract:
A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a thermal cycler and a microtiter plate. The cycler comprises a sample holder having a first surface and a surface and means for automated, controlled heating and cooling of the sample holder. The first surface of the sample holder is designed to hold a plurality of samples arrayed in a grid having a predefined pitch. The number of samples in one dimension is an exact match of the SBS plate standards for that sample pitch and in another dimension corresponds to a fraction of the number of samples in a second dimension of an SBS microtiter standard plate. According to the invention, the sample holder is shaped such that the area of the second surface is larger than the area of the first surface. By means of the invention, the thermal ramping speeds of the cycler can be significantly increased.
Abstract:
A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.
Abstract:
A device for measuring an object includes a laser beam, a translator for moving the object with respect to the beam, an object reference plane which is the plane perpendicular to the beam that is first entered by the object, a lens system for imaging a light pattern formed in a second plane onto a first plane, wherein the second plane is adjacent to the object reference plane, and the light pattern includes a diffraction pattern caused by interaction of the beam and the object, a slit interposed at the first plane for limiting the extent of the beam that passes through the first plane, and a photodetector that emits a signal representative of the light received behind the slit for detecting the portion of the beam that passes through this slit. The slit is sufficiently small so as to enable resolution of the diffraction pattern by the photodetector. The device further includes a circuit for calculating a dimension of the object in response to the signal emitted by the photodetector. A method of gauging roundness includes using this device for moving the object in a direction perpendicular to the beam and rotating the object within the beam.