MULTI-FUNCTION ROBOTIC DEVICE

• US 20090306822A1
• Filed: 05/20/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Neato Robotics, Inc. (Vorwerk & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Neato Robotics, Inc. (Vorwerk & Company KG)
• Inventors: AUGENBRAUN, Joe, HIRSCHHORN, Linda, JAYNE, William, PINZARRONE, Joseph, DONALDSON, Nick, SHAH, Pankaj, GOMEZ, Juan B.
• Application Number:
  US12/469,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20090306822A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0003 Home robots, i.e. small robots for domestic use
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1664 characterised by motion, path, trajectory planning
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1679 characterised by the tasks executed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36513 Select out of a plurality of programs, patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40095 Modify tasks due to modular tooling, other fixture configuration, environment
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40423 Map task space to sensor space
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40506 Self motion topology knowledge, configuration mapping
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/024 in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30

Abstract

A multi-function robotic device may have utility in various applications. In accordance with one aspect, a multi-function robotic device may be selectively configurable to perform a desired function in accordance with the capabilities of a selectively removable functional cartridge operably coupled with a robot body. Localization and mapping techniques may employ partial maps associated with portions of an operating environment, data compression, or both.

Claims

1. A multi-function robot comprising:

a drive mechanism;

an electronics module to provide instructions to said drive mechanism to position said robot in an operating environment; and

a sensing apparatus including an optical assembly to provide locality data to said electronics module, the locality data related to a location of said robot in the operating environment, thereby enabling said robot to determine its location in the operating environment independent of calibration with reference to an external source;

wherein said robot is configured to perform a mopping, sweeping, or vacuuming function in use.

2. The multi-function robot of claim 1 further comprising a sensor array to provide proximity data to said electronics module, the proximity data related to a position of said robot relative to an obstacle in the operating environment, thereby enabling said robot to avoid obstacles in the operating environment independent of the locality data.