Self-optimizing power transfer
First Claim
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1. A method for charging a power source of a self-propelled device having a spherical housing and an internal drive system within the spherical housing to propel the self-propelled device, the method being performed by one or more processors of the self-propelled device and comprising:
- detecting a misalignment between an inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device and an inductive charging interface of a charging dock when the self-propelled device is placed in a receptacle of the charging dock; and
in response to detecting the misalignment, automatically causing the internal drive system of the self-propelled device to rotate within the spherical housing of self-propelled device, so as to move the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device relative to the charging dock to achieve an alignment between the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device and the inductive charging interface of the charging dock,wherein detecting the misalignment includes at least one of (a) monitoring an amount of power being received by the self-propelled device from the charging dock, and (b) receiving input from one or more sensors of the self-propelled device that indicate one or more angles of rotation of the self-propelled device relative to the charging dock.
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for charging a power source of a device. The method is performed by one or more processors. The one or more processors detect that a charging interface of the device and a charging interface of a charging dock are misaligned when the device is placed into contact or operational proximity with the charging dock. The device is automatically caused to move relative to the charging dock to achieve alignment.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for charging a power source of a self-propelled device having a spherical housing and an internal drive system within the spherical housing to propel the self-propelled device, the method being performed by one or more processors of the self-propelled device and comprising:
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detecting a misalignment between an inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device and an inductive charging interface of a charging dock when the self-propelled device is placed in a receptacle of the charging dock; and in response to detecting the misalignment, automatically causing the internal drive system of the self-propelled device to rotate within the spherical housing of self-propelled device, so as to move the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device relative to the charging dock to achieve an alignment between the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device and the inductive charging interface of the charging dock, wherein detecting the misalignment includes at least one of (a) monitoring an amount of power being received by the self-propelled device from the charging dock, and (b) receiving input from one or more sensors of the self-propelled device that indicate one or more angles of rotation of the self-propelled device relative to the charging dock. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A self-propelled device comprising:
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a spherical housing; a power source; an inductive charging interface coupled to the power source; an internal drive system within the spherical housing for propelling the self-propelled device; and a control mechanism coupled to the inductive charging interface and the internal drive system, the control mechanism to (i) detect a misalignment between the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device and an inductive charging interface of a charging station when the self-propelled device is placed in a receptacle of the charging station, and (ii) in response to detecting the misalignment, automatically causing the internal drive system to rotate within the spherical housing of the self-propelled device, so as to move the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device relative to the charging station and the spherical housing to achieve an alignment between the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device and the inductive charging interface of the charging station, wherein the control mechanism detects the misalignment by at least one of (a) receiving input from one or more sensors that indicate one or more angles of rotation of the internal drive system relative to the charging station and (b) analyzing a power signal from the charging station. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
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a charging station comprising an inductive charging interface; and a self-propelled device comprising; a spherical housing; a power source; an inductive charging interface coupled to the power source; an internal drive system within the spherical housing for propelling the self-propelled device; and a control mechanism coupled to the inductive charging interface and the internal drive system, the control mechanism to (i) detect a misalignment between the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device and the inductive charging interface of the charging station when the self-propelled device is placed in a receptacle of the charging station, and (ii) automatically cause the internal drive system to rotate within the spherical housing of the self-propelled device, so as to move the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device relative to the charging station to achieve an alignment between the inductive charging interface of the self-propelled device and the inductive charging interface of the charging station, wherein the control mechanism detects the misalignment by at least one of (a) receiving input from one or more sensors that indicate one or more angles of rotation of the internal drive system relative to the charging station and (b) analyzing a power signal from the charging station. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification