Autonomous machine for docking with a docking station and method for docking
First Claim
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1. An autonomous robot comprising:
- a movement system for moving the robot over a surface;
a power system for providing power to the robot, the power system including at least one sensor for detecting power levels;
at least one sensor for detecting at least one signal from a docking station; and
a control system in communication with the movement system, the power system, and the at least one sensor, the control system including a processor programmed to;
monitor the power level of the power system;
initiate a docking process for the robot to return to the docking station when the power level has fallen to a first a predetermined level;
cause the movement system to move the robot for the at least one sensor to detect the at least one signal from the docking station.
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Abstract
An autonomous robot is designed for docking in a docking station. The autonomous robot is configured such that it will locate the docking station and dock therein, before its battery power is exhausted. The docking is such that the autonomous robot is automatically charged, such that its batteries will be fully powered for the subsequent operation.
43 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An autonomous robot comprising:
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a movement system for moving the robot over a surface;
a power system for providing power to the robot, the power system including at least one sensor for detecting power levels;
at least one sensor for detecting at least one signal from a docking station; and
a control system in communication with the movement system, the power system, and the at least one sensor, the control system including a processor programmed to;
monitor the power level of the power system;
initiate a docking process for the robot to return to the docking station when the power level has fallen to a first a predetermined level;
cause the movement system to move the robot for the at least one sensor to detect the at least one signal from the docking station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A docking station for an autonomous robot comprising:
- at least one transmitter for transmitting a docking signal, the docking signal including at least a first portion of a first range and a second portion of a second range; and
at least one contact member configured for receiving a corresponding contact member on a robot in a docking contact. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
- at least one transmitter for transmitting a docking signal, the docking signal including at least a first portion of a first range and a second portion of a second range; and
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22. An autonomous robot comprising:
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a movement system for moving the robot over a surface;
at least one sensor for detecting a signal for a docking station;
a power system for providing power to the robot, the power system including at least one sensor for detecting power levels; and
a control system in communication with the movement system, the at least one sensor for detecting the docking station signal, and the power system, the control system including a processor programmed to;
monitor the power level of the power system;
initiate a docking process for the robot to return to a docking station when the power level has fallen to a first a predetermined level; and
continue the docking process including;
receiving at least one signal from the at least one sensor that a signal for a docking station has been detected; and
responding to the received at least one signal by causing the movement system to move the robot toward the docking station. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification