VERSATILE ROBOTIC CONTROL MODULE
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a vehicle comprising;
a vehicle body, anda vehicle control system coupled to the vehicle body and configured to control a vehicle operational system; and
a robotic control system configured to control the vehicle control system and comprising;
a packet network, wherein the packet network is configured to extend into and between available idle spaces within interior compartments of the vehicle body through which no moving part passes; and
a plurality of interchangeable robotic control modules, each robotic control module comprising;
a single housing configured to be mountable to fit into the available idle spaces, the single housing comprising;
a function unit,a processor module,an actuator controller, anda package network switch; and
one or more network connectors positioned on the exterior of the single housing and configured to connect to the packet network and communicate with a packet network switch, wherein the robotic control modules are connected to the packet network.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A system comprising:
-
a vehicle comprising; a vehicle body, and a vehicle control system coupled to the vehicle body and configured to control a vehicle operational system; and a robotic control system configured to control the vehicle control system and comprising; a packet network, wherein the packet network is configured to extend into and between available idle spaces within interior compartments of the vehicle body through which no moving part passes; and a plurality of interchangeable robotic control modules, each robotic control module comprising; a single housing configured to be mountable to fit into the available idle spaces, the single housing comprising; a function unit, a processor module, an actuator controller, and a package network switch; and one or more network connectors positioned on the exterior of the single housing and configured to connect to the packet network and communicate with a packet network switch, wherein the robotic control modules are connected to the packet network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method comprising:
-
fitting a packet network to extend into and between available idle space within interior compartments of a vehicle through which no moving part passes in the vehicle; mounting a module housing of such size and shape as to fit into said available idle spaces and connecting the module housing to the packet network; and connecting a plurality of mountable robotic control modules to the packet network. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
-
Specification