Companion robot for personal interaction
First Claim
1. A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:
- a first detector for detecting at least one of a person and an object within a first predetermined space proximate the robot;
a second detector for detecting at least one of a person and an object within a second predetermined space proximate the robot;
a physical contact device to detect contact between at least one of a person and an object, wherein at least one of the first detector, the second detector, and the contact device triggers a safety condition; and
a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
203 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:
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a first detector for detecting at least one of a person and an object within a first predetermined space proximate the robot;
a second detector for detecting at least one of a person and an object within a second predetermined space proximate the robot;
a physical contact device to detect contact between at least one of a person and an object, wherein at least one of the first detector, the second detector, and the contact device triggers a safety condition; and
a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.
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2. A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:
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an annunciator configured to audibly indicate the presence of the robot;
a visible beacon configured to optically indicate the presence of the robot;
a proximity curtain detector configured to detect a person within a curtain covering a majority of the height of the robot and thereafter trigger a safety condition;
a physical impact buffer configured to absorb impact of a person colliding with the robot, detect the person, and trigger the safety condition;
a floor-level proximity ribbon detector configured to detect objects of less than 2 inches in height and trigger the safety condition; and
a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.
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3. A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:
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a zone detector configured to detect an object within a zone in front of the robot covering a substantial portion of the height of the robot above 10 inches from the ground and thereafter trigger a safety condition;
a near zone impact bumper configured to absorb an impact of an object colliding with the robot, detect the object, and trigger the safety condition;
a near zone proximity sensor configured to detect an object in front of the robot between 2-10 inches from the ground and trigger the safety condition;
a near zone low object proximity sensor configured to detect objects in front of the robot of less than 2-4 inches in height and trigger the safety condition; and
a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.
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4. A robot for interacting with a resident in an environment, comprising:
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a sensor adapted to monitor a resident when the robot is in an environment and a resident is within range of the sensor;
a controller to monitor surveillance data from the sensor;
a transmission control routine configured to enable transmission of surveillance data from the sensor to a location outside an environment, if a resident grants permission for the transmission; and
an override routine configured to enable transmission of surveillance data from the sensor to a location outside the environment at least in an emergency condition.
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5. A robot for interacting with a resident in the resident'"'"'s home, comprising:
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a sensor capable of monitoring the resident when the robot is in the resident'"'"'s home and the resident is within range of the sensor;
a controller connected to monitor surveillance data from the sensor;
a transmission control routine configured to enable a transmission of surveillance data from the sensor outside the resident'"'"'s home if the resident grants permission for the transmission; and
an override routine configured to enable a transmission of surveillance data from the sensor outside the resident'"'"'s home (i) in an emergency condition detected by the robot or (ii) after an authorized remote caregiver sends to the robot an authorization previously permitted by the resident and an emergency condition indication, wherein the transmission of surveillance data by the robot outside the resident'"'"'s home is otherwise prohibited.
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6. A robot for interacting with a resident in the resident'"'"'s home, comprising:
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a sensor capable of monitoring the resident when the robot is in the resident'"'"'s home and the resident is within range of the sensor;
a controller connected to monitor surveillance data from the sensor;
a connector capable of receiving a lock-out member;
a transmission control routine configured to enable a transmission of surveillance data from the sensor outside the resident'"'"'s home if the resident grants permission for the transmission and only when the lock-out member is inserted in the connector; and
an override routine configured to enable a transmission of surveillance data from the sensor outside the resident'"'"'s home only when an emergency condition signal is received by the robot.
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7. A robot capable of human-robot interaction, comprising:
a head assembly comprising;
a face;
at least one camera mounted proximate the face; and
a positionable mount having a first position and a second position, the mount supporting at least one of the face and the at least one camera.
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8. A robot capable of human-robot interaction, comprising:
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a head assembly including;
a head having a face on one side;
at least one camera mounted within the face to direct an objective lens of the camera in the same direction as the face; and
a rotatable pivot supporting the head to permit the head to move such that the face and the at least one camera are hidden from view and the camera is thereby prevented from viewing an area around the robot.
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9. A robot capable of human-robot interaction, comprising:
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a head assembly including;
a head having a face on one side, the face comprising a matrix panel electronically controllable to show different configurations of left and right eyes composed of matrix elements;
a left camera proximate to the left eye and a right camera proximate to the right eye, each of left and right cameras being mounted near the face to direct an objective lens of the camera in the same direction as the face; and
at least one positionable mount supporting the left camera and right camera to each move to a position disabled from viewing an area around the robot.
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10. A robot system, including:
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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.
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Specification