Robotic Pet Waste Treatment or Collection

• US 20110247566A1
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Inventors: MAININI, Christopher E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,601,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/161
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/01 Removal of dung or urine, e.g. from stablesA01K1/015 takes precedence; from poultry houses A01K31/04
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0128 by means of scrapers or the like moving continuously
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/006 Specially adapted for removing excrements hand implements E01H1/12
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/008 in situ treatment of excrements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device is robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.

Claims

1. A method for locating and treatment of solid or semi-solid animal excrement disposed on a surface,

(a) providing a robotically operated vehicle adapted to traverse an area of the surface,

(b) detecting at least one selected attribute of a quantity of the excrement disposed on said area of the surface,

(c) selecting the directional motion of said vehicle to position said vehicle contiguous to the detected quantity of excrement,

(d) activating an excrement treatment or collection function while the robot is contiguous the detected quantity of excrement.

2. The method of claim 1 and including the step of hovering said vehicle over said detected quantity of excrement during the execution of at least step (d) of claim 1.

3. The method of claim 1 and including the step of continuing traversal of the surface by said vehicle upon completion of step (d) of claim 1, followed by execution of steps (b)-(d) of claim 1 upon detection of a further quantity of excrement disposed on the surface.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said excrement treatment or collection function is selected from at least one of deodorization, dispersal, disinfection, disintegration enhancement, or collection of said detected quantity of excrement.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 and including

a dispensing assembly for dispensing one or more of a disinfectant, a deodorizer or a dissipation enhancer onto said quantity of animal excrement.

5. Apparatus for autonomous or semi-autonomous detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid or semi-solid animal excrement from a surface comprising

a robotic vehicle including

a chassis,

selectively operable navigation assembly for navigating said vehicle over a selected area of the surface,

sensors for detecting one or more properties of a perceived quantity of animal excrement, and outputting to said central controller unit one or more signals representative of the location of said perceived quantity of animal excrement,

a central controller unit mounted on the chassis for analyzing said one or more signals received therein and developing one or more output signals to said navigation assembly for navigating said robotic vehicle to a position contiguous to said perceived quantity of animal excrement and further one or more output signals to effectuate the treatment or collection of said quantity of animal excrement from said surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 and including a removable container mounted on said chassis and adapted to receive said quantity of animal excrement therein for subsequent disposal thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 and including a rotation sweeper mounted on said chassis in position to and adapted to sweep said quantity of animal excrement into said receptacle.

9. Apparatus for autonomous or semi-autonomous detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid or semi-solid animal excrement from a surface comprising

a robotic vehicle including

a chassis,

a central controller unit mounted on said chassis,

means for navigating said vehicle over a selected area of the surface,

means for sensing one or more properties of a perceived quantity of animal excrement, and outputting to said central controller unit one or more signals representative of the location of said perceived quantity of animal excrement,

means within said central controller unit for analyzing said one or more signals received therein and developing one or more output signals to said means for navigating said robotic vehicle to a position contiguous to said perceived quantity of animal excrement and further one or more output signals to effectuate the treatment or collection of said quantity of animal excrement from said surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 and including a removable container mounted on said chassis and adapted to receive said quantity of animal excrement therein for subsequent disposal thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 and including a rotation sweeper mounted on said chassis in position to and adapted to sweep said quantity of animal excrement into said receptacle.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 and including

means for dispensing one or more of a disinfectant, a deodorizer or a dissipation enhancer onto said quantity of animal excrement.