Robot capable of detecting an edge

• US 20050049750A1
• Filed: 09/09/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition, LLC (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Parker, Andrew J., Taylor, Charles E., Lau, Shek Fai, Christianson, Tristan M., McKinney, Edward C. Jr., Thalheimer, Richard J., Duncan, Mark H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,024,280 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/258
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/008 based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 294/907 Sensor controlled device

Abstract

A robot with an edge detector and two operating modes. The first operating mode is control mode. The second operating mode is a processor controlled mode.

Claims

1. A robot comprising:

a motor to move the robot;

a processor to control the robot; and

an edge detection system adapted to detect an edge;

wherein the robot can be controlled in an autonomous mode by the processor and controlled in a remote control mode by a user with a remote control, wherein the edge detection system is used to prevent the robot from going over an edge.

2. The robot of claim 1, wherein the edge detection system comprises at least one IR emitter and detector.

3. The robot of claim 1, further comprising an object detection system.

4. A method of operating a robot comprising:

operating the robot in an autonomous mode under the control of a processor on the robot;

operating the robot in a remote control mode under the control of a user with a remote control; and

;

using an edge detection system to prevent the robot from going over an edge.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the edge detection system comprises at least one IR emitter and detector.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the robot further comprising an object detection system.