Robotic system
First Claim
1. A self-propelled robot configured for movement over a trackless surface to be treated, the robot comprising:
- a. a power supply;
b. a traction mechanism configured to receive power from the power supply and move the robot over a trackless surface;
c. a dispense mechanism adapted to controllably deposit a fluent material onto the trackless surface;
d. a plurality of navigation sensors providing signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the trackless surface and around obstacles thereon; and
e. a control system configured to receive the signals from the navigation sensors and operably dependent upon the signals to control the traction and dispense mechanisms.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-propelled robot is disclosed for movement over a surface to be treated. The robot has a power supply (11) and a pair of wheels (8,9) driven by motors (6,7) for moving the robot over the surface. A mechanism (113,115,16) is provided for controllably depositing a fluent material on to the surface. Navigation sensors (4,13,18,21) provide signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the surface and one or more detectors (14,15,17) detect the presence of the material on the surface and provide signals indicative of its presence. A control system (100) receives the signals from the sensors and detectors and controls the motors and the depositing mechanism in dependence upon the signals received from the sensors and detectors.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A self-propelled robot configured for movement over a trackless surface to be treated, the robot comprising:
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a. a power supply;
b. a traction mechanism configured to receive power from the power supply and move the robot over a trackless surface;
c. a dispense mechanism adapted to controllably deposit a fluent material onto the trackless surface;
d. a plurality of navigation sensors providing signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the trackless surface and around obstacles thereon; and
e. a control system configured to receive the signals from the navigation sensors and operably dependent upon the signals to control the traction and dispense mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A self-propelled robot configured for movement over a trackless surface to be treated, the robot comprising:
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a. a power supply;
b. a traction mechanism configured to receive power from the power supply and move the robot over a trackless surface;
c. a dispense mechanism adapted to controllably deposit a fluent material onto the trackless surface;
d. a plurality of navigation sensors providing signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the trackless surface and around obstacles thereon;
e. a control system configured to receive the signals from the navigation sensors and operably dependent upon the signals to control the traction mechanisms, wherein the control system comprises a hierarchical architecture and includes one or more microprocessor controllers or microcontrollers for controlling higher-level functions and providing higher-level instructions; and
a plurality of lower-level function modules adapted to receive signals from the navigation sensors and having processors to provide control signals in response thereto, wherein higher-level functions comprise robot impact recognition, room size estimation, clutter level determination and battery monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification