NESTING NEGOTIATION FOR SELF-MOBILE DEVICES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A recharging system, comprising:
- a nesting station having a first connector for a self-mobile device, said first connector being configured in such a manner that self-mobile devices can self-position into a position for charging;
a plurality of self-mobile devices, each of said plurality of self-mobile devices having a capability to self-propel into a charging position with said first connector;
a first communications device associated with said nesting station and a plurality of second communication devices associated with respective ones of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby said nesting station has two-way communications capability with said plurality of self-mobile devices;
a first protocol for negotiating and utilizing respective charging times for said plurality of self-mobile devices, said protocol being negotiated by said nesting station and each of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby human intervention is not necessary for charging of said plurality of self-mobile devices.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type.
33 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A recharging system, comprising:
-
a nesting station having a first connector for a self-mobile device, said first connector being configured in such a manner that self-mobile devices can self-position into a position for charging;
a plurality of self-mobile devices, each of said plurality of self-mobile devices having a capability to self-propel into a charging position with said first connector;
a first communications device associated with said nesting station and a plurality of second communication devices associated with respective ones of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby said nesting station has two-way communications capability with said plurality of self-mobile devices;
a first protocol for negotiating and utilizing respective charging times for said plurality of self-mobile devices, said protocol being negotiated by said nesting station and each of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby human intervention is not necessary for charging of said plurality of self-mobile devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10)
-
- 6. The recharging system of claim 6, wherein said first and second flat plates are mounted horizontally and a self-mobile device positions over said first and said second plates for charging.
-
11. A recharging station, comprising:
-
a first connector for a self-mobile device, said first connector being configured in such a manner that self-mobile devices can self-position into a position for charging;
a first communications device capable of carrying on two-way communications with a plurality of self-mobile devices;
a processor connected to said first connector and said first communications device, said processor connected to negotiate with the plurality of self-mobile devices according to a first protocol in order to administer time slots for charging the plurality of self-mobile devices. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19-28. -28. (canceled)
-
29. A method of recharging robotic devices, said method comprising the steps of:
-
detecting when a robotic device has reached a given level of depletion;
establishing a communications link between said robotic device and a charging station;
using a protocol to determine a connector or correct current needed for charging said robotic device; and
charging said robotic device using said connector or said correct current;
wherein said steps are performed solely by said robotic device and said charging station. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
-
-
32-35. -35. (canceled)
Specification