MOBILE AGENTS FOR MANIPULATING, MOVING, AND/OR REORIENTING COMPONENTS
First Claim
1. A system for manipulating components, comprising:
- a working surface;
at least one discrete manipulable component; and
at least one mobile agent, configured to manipulate at least one component on the working surface, comprising;
a processor;
a sensor, communicatively coupled to the processor, configured to detect the at least one component;
a propulsion mechanism, communicatively coupled to the processor, configured to impart motive force to the mobile agent; and
at least one actuator, communicatively coupled to the processor, configured to manipulate the at least one component responsive to instructions.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Mobile agents automatically manipulate components such as blocks on a working surface, to perform operations such as construction of generalized structures. The working surface and/or the components can have machine-readable codes to assist the agents in maintaining current knowledge of their respective locations. Agents identify components by type and location, and can move components according to directions; such directions can be provided by a user, or can be based on a pre-programmed directive, or can be determined dynamically based on current conditions or in response to actions of other agents. Agents may cooperate with one another. Agents can also respond to changes in the environment, alterations in works in progress, and/or other conditions, and may be configured to exhibit responses simulating emotional reactions. Different mobile agents can be associated with different character traits, which may be configured to change based on environmental conditions and/or the behavior of other mobile agents.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for manipulating components, comprising:
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a working surface; at least one discrete manipulable component; and at least one mobile agent, configured to manipulate at least one component on the working surface, comprising; a processor; a sensor, communicatively coupled to the processor, configured to detect the at least one component; a propulsion mechanism, communicatively coupled to the processor, configured to impart motive force to the mobile agent; and at least one actuator, communicatively coupled to the processor, configured to manipulate the at least one component responsive to instructions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a system comprising a working surface, at least one discrete manipulable component, and at least one mobile agent having a processor, a method for manipulating the at least one component, comprising:
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in a processor of at least one mobile agent, causing a propulsion mechanism of the mobile agent to impart motive force to the mobile agent; in a sensor of the at least one mobile agent, detecting the at least one component; and in the processor, causing at least one actuator of the mobile agent to manipulate the at least one component responsive to instructions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification