Abstract:
A mobile robot guest for interacting with a human resident performs a room-traversing search procedure prior to interacting with the resident, and may verbally query whether the resident being sought is present. Upon finding the resident, the mobile robot may facilitate a teleconferencing session with a remote third party, or interact with the resident in a number of ways. For example, the robot may carry on a dialogue with the resident, reinforce compliance with medication or other schedules, etc. In addition, the robot incorporates safety features for preventing collisions with the resident; and the robot may audibly announce and/or visibly indicate its presence in order to avoid becoming a dangerous obstacle. Furthermore, the mobile robot behaves in accordance with an integral privacy policy, such that any sensor recording or transmission must be approved by the resident.
Abstract:
A method of charging a battery of a device (40), the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-charging energy to charging terminals (16) of a charger (10); detecting a presence of a robotic device (40) docked with the charger (10) by recognizing a load formed by a circuit in the charger (10) combined with a complementary circuit in the robotic device (40); and increasing energy to the charging terminals (16) to a charging current to charge the battery.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a robot system, including: a base station; and a robot, the base station including a wireless transceiver capable of communicating TCP/IP transmissions over a local wireless protocol, a wired Ethernet connector for communicating TCP/IP transmissions over a local wired Ethernet accessing the Internet, and an access point circuit for transferring TCP/IP transmissions between the local wired Ethernet and local wireless protocol limited to a predetermined IP address locked to the robot, predetermined shell level encryption locked to the robot, and predetermined ports to the Internet open only to the robot, the robot including a wireless transceiver capable of communicating TCP/IP transmissions over a local wireless protocol and a client circuit for transferring TCP/IP transmissions over the local wireless protocol.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a robot system, including: a base station; and a robot, the base station including a wireless transceiver capable of communicating TCP/IP transmissions over a local wireless protocol, a wired Ethernet connector for communicating TCP/IP transmissions over a local wired Ethernet accessing the Internet, and an access point circuit for transferring TCP/IP transmissions between the local wired Ethernet and local wireless protocol limited to a predetermined IP address locked to the robot, predetermined shell level encryption locked to the robot, and predetermined ports to the Internet open only to the robot, the robot including a wireless transceiver capable of communicating TCP/IP transmissions over a local wireless protocol and a client circuit for transferring TCP/IP transmissions over the local wireless protocol.
Abstract:
A method of docking a robotic device with a base station includes the steps of detecting a low energy level in an on-board battery, orienting the robot in relation to a detected overlap between two infrared beams emitted by the station, detecting contact between the charging terminals on the robot and on the base station, charging the on-board battery and resuming a robot's task, such as vacuuming. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting horning signals to allow the robot device to accurately dock with the base station.
Abstract:
A method of charging a battery of a device (40), the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-charging energy to charging terminals (16) of a charger (10); detecting a presence of a robotic device (40) docked with the charger (10) by recognizing a load formed by a circuit in the charger (10) combined with a complementary circuit in the robotic device (40); and increasing energy to the charging terminals (16) to a charging current to charge the battery.
Abstract:
A mobile robot guest for interacting with a human resident performs a room-traversing search procedure prior to interacting with the resident, and may verbally query whether the resident being sought is present. Upon finding the resident, the mobile robot may facilitate a teleconferencing session with a remote third party, or interact with the resident in a number of ways. For example, the robot may carry on a dialogue with the resident, reinforce compliance with medication or other schedules, etc. In addition, the robot incorporates safety features for preventing collisions with the resident; and the robot may audibly announce and/or visibly indicate its presence in order to avoid becoming a dangerous obstacle. Furthermore, the mobile robot behaves in accordance with an integral privacy policy, such that any sensor recording or transmission must be approved by the resident.
Abstract:
A method of docking a robotic device with a base station includes the steps of detesting a low energy level in an on-board battery, orienting the robot in relation to a detected overlap between two infrared beams emitted by the station, detecting contact between the charging terminals on the robot and on the base station, charging the on-board battery and resuming a robot's task, such as vacuuming. 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 robot device to accurately dock with the base station.
Abstract:
A method of charging a battery of a device (40), the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-charging energy to charging terminals (16) of a charger (10); detecting a presence of a robotic device (40) docked with the charger (10) by recognizing a load formed by a circuit in the charger (10) combined with a complementary circuit in the robotic device (40); and increasing energy to the charging terminals (16) to a charging current to charge the battery.
Abstract:
A method of docking a robotic device with a base station includes the steps of detecting a low energy level in an on-board battery, orienting the robot in relation to a detected overlap between two infrared beams emitted by the station, detecting contact between the charging terminals on the robot and on the base station, charging the on-board battery and resuming a robot's task, such as vacuuming. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting horning signals to allow the robot device to accurately dock with the base station.