Operator control unit

• US 20090129003A1
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Foster-Miller Incorporated (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Foster-Miller Incorporated (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tong, Hoi, Kirilov, Alex, Warren, Jake, Lansberry, Geoffrey B., Bruck, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US12/284,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20090129003A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.400
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A mobile operator control unit for remotely controlling a robot includes a housing with a reconfigurable user interface with multiple sockets. A plurality of control modules are each removably received in a socket and include one or more switches. A module interface is connected to the one or more switches. A baseboard processing unit is connected to each module interface for receiving and processing signals received from the module interfaces. A transmitter is responsive to the baseboard processing unit for transmitting signals to the robot based on the activation of the module switches.

Claims

1. A mobile operator control unit for remotely controlling a robot, the control unit comprising:

a housing with a reconfigurable user interface including multiple sockets;

a plurality of control modules each removably received in a socket and including;

one or more switches, and

a module interface connected to the one or more switches;

a baseboard processing unit electrically connected to each module interface for receiving and processing signals received from the module interfaces; and

a transmitter responsive to the baseboard processing unit for transmitting signals to the robot based on the activation of the module switches.

2. The operator control unit of claim 1 in which each module interface is configured to convert signals received by the switches to a common format.

3. The operator control unit of claim 2 in which said format is compatible with a USB connection between each module interface and the baseboard processing unit.

4. The operator control unit of claim 1 in which the switches include dials, joysticks, buttons, and/or selection switches.

5. The operator control unit of claim 1 in which each control module includes:

a plate housing the switches,

a circuit board support depending downward from a rear face of the plate into a socket, and

the module interface is configured as a circuit board supported by the support and including connectors for wires extending between the switches and the circuit board.

6. The operator control unit of claim 5 in which said plate is removably and sealingly engaged over a socket.

7. The operator control unit of claim 1 in which the housing further includes a monitor.

8. The operator control unit of claim 1 in which the transmitter is housed in a robot communications pack removably attached to the housing.

9. The operator control unit of claim 1 further including a lid hinged to a base and the panel is the top surface of the base.

10. The operator control unit of claim 9 in which the lid includes a monitor.

11. The operator control unit of claim 10 in which the transmitter is housed in a robot communications pack removably attached to the back of the lid.

12. A mobile operator control unit for remotely controlling a robot, the control unit comprising:

a housing with a reconfigurable user interface including multiple sockets, each socket configured to removably receive one of a plurality of control modules for configuring the control mechanisms of the control unit;

a common interface connected to each socket;

a baseboard processing unit electrically connected to the socket interface for receiving and processing signals received from the module interfaces; and

a transmitter responsive to the baseboard processing unit for transmitting signals to one or more robots based on the activation of the module switches.

13. The operator control unit of claim 12 further including the plurality of control modules in which each control module includes one or more switches and a module interface connectable to the common interface.

14. The operator control unit of claim 12 in which the housing further includes a monitor.

15. The operator control unit of claim 12 further including a lid hinged to a base and the panel is the top surface of the base.

16. The operator control unit of claim 15 in which the lid includes a monitor.

17. A mobile operator control unit for remotely controlling a robot, the control unit comprising:

a housing with a reconfigurable user interface including a plurality of control modules each removably received in the control unit and including one or more switches;

a processor having code executable thereon, the code including;

a user input manager responsive to the switches for interpreting the function of the switches and monitoring the user interface for changes in the user interface;

a robot controller manager responsive to the user input manager for monitoring data relating to operating the robot;

a robot communications manager responsive to the robot controller manager for communicating signals to the robot based on the activation of the module switches;

a display manager for controlling the display of information; and

a status manager for indicating the status of the robot.

18. The operator control unit of claim 17 in which the robot controller manager includes:

a driving manager responsive to the user input manager for monitoring data relating to driving the robot; and

an arm manager responsive to the user input manager for monitoring data relating to operating an arm of the robot.

19. A method for providing a mobile robot operator control unit to remotely control a robot, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a housing with a reconfigurable user interface including multiple sockets;

providing a plurality of control modules each including;

one or more switches and a module interface connected to the one or more switches;

installing the plurality of control modules in the corresponding sockets to provide an initial configuration of the control mechanisms of the control unit;

receiving and processing signals received from the module interfaces; and

transmitting signals to the robot based on the activation of the module switches.

20. The method of claim 19, further including the steps of:

removing one or more of the plurality of control modules from their corresponding sockets; and

installing one or more different control modules to reconfigure the initial configuration of the control mechanisms of the control unit.